Peak bodies say an industry-wide code will promote higher standards of heavy vehicle safety
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) and the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) have submitted joint Notices of Intention to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to develop an industry-wide ‘master code’ for heavy vehicle safety.
Both organisations say this is a “significant step” that will help provide certainty for the industry and promote higher standards when it comes to heavy vehicle safety for everyone on the road.
“Improving safety outcomes along our supply chains is a core objective for the ALC, and heavy vehicle safety forms a significant part of that,” ALC MD Michael Kilgariff says.
“As the Australian Government has agreed to ALC’s call to develop a National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, this an opportune time to establish a Master Code, developed by and for the industry which will maximise the ability of operators to design safety schemes applicable to their own businesses, and accordingly make our industry and roads safer,” Kilgariff says.
“Our planned Master Code will improve safety outcomes and will help meet and manage the common risks faced by all heavy vehicle operators,” ATA CEO Ben Maguire says.
“We know that 98 per cent of trucking businesses have fewer than 20 employees, and that other relevant road parties such as consignors and receivers also have Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) obligations.
“The Master Code will benefit all parties to help them manage the safety risks over which they have control.
“The Code will be freely available and will not replace the ATA’s TruckSafe scheme.
“The ATA will continue to offer this audited scheme for businesses seeking to meet the highest possible safety standards.”
Kilgariff says the logistics council is confident the joint proposal for a master code will deliver better safety outcomes for all road users and create greater certainty for operators by reducing duplication and red tape for everyone with HVNL obligations.