Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia’s Safety Through Education project will receive key funding through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.
The project – one of 28 successful safety initiatives to receive a share of $5.5 million – will deliver two interactive online training tools covering best practice procedures for load restraint and tyre management.
HVIA CEO Todd Hacking said the HVSI funding would enable the association to contribute a valuable training resource towards improved heavy vehicle safety across the supply chain.
“We have identified two issues consistently over-represented in the NTARC Major Accident Investigation Report that we will now focus on: load restraint and tyre management,” Hacking said.
“This project will transform the volumes of written guidance information into simple, immersive and practical online education courses.”
“They will ensure heavy vehicle operators and other members in the chain understand their responsibilities and refresh their knowledge as required.”
The Heavy Vehicle National Law has specific chain of responsibility provisions that places an obligation for parties in the chain, to ensure they conduct safe transport activities. That includes packing, loading, load restraint and vehicle roadworthiness. (Equivalent provisions apply in WA and NT).
While it is impossible to be prescriptive for the many different types, weights and shapes of loads that can be transported, anybody in the chain is responsible for complying with load restraint laws.
“Tyres are also critical to heavy vehicle safety,” Hacking added.
“There are many factors that can improve safety, from tyre choice, performance management, such as tread, wear and tyre pressure, and regular maintenance and safety systems can all improve performance and help mitigate tyre failures and keep road users safe.
“There is limited information available on these topics and just about every operator can tell you about a ‘near miss’ experience.
Hacking said the education course will guide operators into a program of best practice tyre management, including maintenance, rotation and replacement policies, understanding what to look for, how to perform daily checks, and what systems are available to improve the safety outcomes of the most critical and most consumable heavy vehicle component.
“We hope every fleet owner or manager will see the value in making this part of their on-boarding process and build it into a program of refresher training that even the best and safest drivers should be receiving.
“The courses will provide a relevant, accurate, immersive educational experience, on a proven platform, enabling successful participation by drivers and workers across the supply chain and will lead to improved safety outcomes.”