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Three Queensland companies have become the first in Australia to operate under the new Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) scheme.

TL Brown Transport Pty Ltd, Nolan’s Interstate Transport and Rocky’s Own will all now be able to operate heavy vehicles under the scheme.

AFM accredited operators must comply with 10 auditable standards, including scheduling and rostering , operating limits, readiness for duty, health, management practices, workplace conditions, fatigue knowledge and awareness, responsibilities, records and documentation and internal review.

Unlike work and rest limits which are often described to be a “one size fits all” scheme, AFM is tailored for the needs of different transport operators and is based on successful trials by the Queensland Government and a number of transport operators.

National Transport Commission Safety and Environment General Manager Tim Eaton says transport operators now have the choice to set up rosters and schedules around standard work and rest limits or step up to a higher level of audit-based safety risk management through AFM.

“Australia has a very diverse transport industry with unique geographic and operational challenges across many sectors.

By working with recognised fatigue experts, truck and bus operators- large or small- can design a robust safety management system which better meets their own needs,” Eaton says.

Dr Adam Fletcher and Dr Stuart Baulk have both been approved by the Fatigue Authorities Panel (FAP) as registered fatigue experts in accordance with the FAP business rules and will provide expert advice to the NTC to ensure high safety standards are in place and driver fatigue risks are properly managed.