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ATA supports NHVR livestock transporters rest template

04 February 2016

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) livestock transport fatigue management template will help livestock transporters manage safe driver rest schedules under difficult operating conditions, ATA Chief Executive Christopher Melham said today.



The template was developed by the NHVR with the support of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA), which is a member of the ATA. It allows accredited drivers to work 14 hour days in a fortnightly cycle, with restrictions to offset the risk when drivers are working between midnight and 4am.



Mr Melham said the ATA strongly supported the cooperative approach taken by the NHVR and ALRTA while developing the template.



“The livestock freight task can require long and relatively unpredictable freight movements in isolated areas, and must also account for the needs of the livestock being transported. This means the driver must be able to take safe, effective rest breaks at times and locations that work with their task,” Mr Melham said.



“The NHVR’s fatigue management template for livestock transporters provides this flexibility, enabling drivers to safely manage their rest and the welfare of their livestock.



“The template approach is also an entirely new way for operators to enter the Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) scheme under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.



“The templates are designed to make it easier to identify fatigue risks up front, so that an operator need not present their individual safety case every single time they apply. This will cut down the cost and red-tape associated with AFM, making it more accessible for this industry sector.



“We support the use of the AFM template for livestock transporters, and look forward to seeing further templates being developed in consultation with industry in the future.”

 

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