Regulator puts wine supply chain on load restraint notice
A recent spate of spills has prompted the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to caution the wine supply chain.
The regulator warns drivers to be aware of spilled grapes on South Australian roads, with 10 occurrences already observed this month on state and local roads in the Riverland region, following 30 in February.
NHVR manager stakeholder engagement John Gilbert says it is critical that operators, vineyards, wineries and others involved in transporting grapes put in place robust safety systems to ensure road safety.
“We want to see these grapes made into great South Australian wine, not left to rot on our highways,” Gilbert says.
“We all know and hear of stories around shoppers slipping on grapes in shopping centres.
“The exact scenario is occurring on our roads with vehicles being unable to gain any traction on the road surface following a grape spill.
“These spills are very difficult to clean up and can make roads sticky and gluey, forming a significant safety issue for light vehicles and motorcycles in particular.
“Additionally, many of the spills are happening at night or in the early morning, when they are more difficult to see, exacerbating the safety hazard.”
The NHVR recently put the livestock supply chain under review
The NHVR says it is working proactively with businesses to provide guidance around methods of managing the risk of grape spillage.
It points to good safety management and load restraint, with prevention better than a cure.
“Businesses must take ownership of this serous safety risk to the community and actively introduce improvement to their practices particularly around load restraint of grapes,” Gilbert says.
“We’re always happy to chat to operators about these issues and support them to implement safer systems in their businesses.”