Policy body links the issue with safety and chain of responsibility
The National Transport Commission (NTC) wants industry views on load restraint measures as it seeks to improve guidance on improving guidance of this crucial aspect of transport.
“The NTC is working closely with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to review the current edition of the Load Restraint Guide and we are seeking your feedback on how the guide can be improved,” the policy body says.
“The Load Restraint Guide provides transport drivers, operators, and other participants in the transport chain of responsibility with basic safety principles which should be followed for the safe carriage of loads on road vehicles.”
A short survey can be found here.
The project aims to ensure the guide is easy to access and understand, meets the needs of the people who use it and is accurate, up to date and reflects the practices that have developed since the last edition of the Guide was published in 2004.
The NTC says it has identified four priority areas:
- clarifying the legal requirements for operators
- reviewing the performance standards
- providing up to date guidance on the latest methods of load restraint, for certifiers, operators and enforcement.
- load restraint certification rules.
It notes RMIT University has completed a technical review of the load restraint performance standards.
“We will be presenting this information as we continue to consult with industry and government to ensure that we identify all the issues that need to be addressed in this review of the Guide,” the NTC says.
“We will continue to consult with industry and government to ensure that we identify all the issues that need to be addressed in this review of the Guide.
“We expect ministers will consider our recommendations in November 2017 and aim to release the revised guide in early 2018.”