An industry working group has been established to review the ATA’s Side Underrun Protection Technical Advisory Procedure (TAP) 2012. 

“The ATA and its Industry Technical Council are committed to ensuring our technical advice remains best practice, so we periodically review TAPs to ensure they remain current and up to date,” ATA Chief Engineer Bob Woodward said today. 

TAPs are established to provide guidance on specific subjects and are intended to be informative at a basic, intermediate and advanced level. Current TAPs include stability control, wheel end security and heavy vehicle visibility. 

“The existing Side Underrun Protection TAP primarily focuses on trailers. In response to industry demand, the updated version will include content relating to rigid trucks and prime movers,” Mr Woodward said.   

“The working group consists of Industry Technical Council members who represent various parties in the supply chain, including truck manufacturers, dealers, engineers and two operators. 

“Side underrun protection devices aid the safety of pedestrians and cyclists by removing the chance of accidental access into the wheel space of trucks and trailers. These devices can also provide aerodynamic benefits,” he said. 

The working group members are: 

·         Phil Webb, Kenworth

·         Scott Grimme, Fibreglass Transport Equipment

·         Greg Brown, MaxiTRANS

·         Brent Fuge, CMV Truck and Bus

·         Dennis Roohan, AJM Transport

·         Lyndon Watson, Don Watson Transport 

“The process includes reviewing European regulation R73 and then processing the requirements into a workable document that meets Australian operations and conditions,” Mr Woodward said. 

Once the review is complete, the Industry Technical Council will evaluate the procedure before sending it to the ATA Council to be approved and authorised for distribution. 

“Our Industry Technical Council is a working committee that was established to enhance the trucking industry’s safety, professionalism and viability by providing technical input and best practice advice to the ATA,” Mr Woodward said.

“It brings operators, suppliers, engineers and industry specialists together in a long-term discussion forum, and is always open to new members,” he said. 

For more information about the ATA Industry Technical Council or to join, head here. 

View the ATA Technical Advisory Procedures