Industry regulator releases statement two days after TWU escalates demand for explanation
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has confirmed it is looking into the double fatality involving Blenners Transport trucks earlier this month.
The NHVR says its officers are “currently assessing a range of information provided by Blenners Transport in relation to a two-vehicle crash on the Kennedy Highway”.
The regulator states it is seeking information from the company relating to Chain Of Responsibility (COR) requirements under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
Additionally, it confirms Queensland Police Service Forensic Crash Unit investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The collision occurred near Mareeba in far north Queensland on September 13, killing two Blenners drivers.
Shortly after the incident, the Queensland branch of the TWU called for a “full investigation” into Blenners, stating freight company had “a track record of poor fatigue management and placing undue pressure on drivers”.
Blenners Transport rejects TWU calls for investigation. Read more, here
Blenners responded via legal representatives, demanding the TWU retract its statement, claiming it was a “false allegation of wrongdoing”.
However, the TWU escalated the matter with another letter distributed to state, industry and police bodies – including the NHVR – on September 19, asking if an investigation had commenced and seeking “explanation as to why an investigation has not begun, if that is the case”.
The NHVR says Blenners Transport has been cooperative in responding to its enquiries.