The National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) is an essential component for fleet managers striving for compliance and efficiency in the heavy vehicle industry.
Among its various standards, the Fatigue Management Accreditation Standard 7, which focuses on Workplace Conditions, is critical to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of drivers.
Here at Hubfleet, we’ve partnered with Glyn Castanelli, who is an NHVR approved auditor from Transport Health and Safety, to delve into the seven fatigue management standards established by the NHVR.
Our goal is to provide insight into what these standards mean and how transport companies can implement practical systems to fulfill their obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
In this article, we’ll explore the significance of Standard 7, provide insights into meeting its requirements, and discuss how innovative solutions like Hubfleet software can assist.
The essence of Fatigue Management Accreditation: Standard 7
Fatigue Management Accreditation Standard 7 emphasises the importance of appropriate workplace conditions to manage driver fatigue effectively. This standard mandates that operators must provide a safe and conducive working environment, addressing factors such as:
• Workplace safety: Ensuring that drivers have a safe place to rest and recover between shifts.
• Amenities: Providing access to basic amenities, such as clean restrooms, sleeping quarters, and dining facilities.
• Work schedules: Designing work schedules that allow adequate rest periods and comply with fatigue management regulations.
• Health and wellness programs: Implementing programs that promote the physical and mental wellbeing of drivers.
Tips for meeting Standard 7 requirements
Glyn Castanelli has spent over 30 years in the heavy vehicle transport industry in many roles, including his current role as an NHVR accredited auditor at Transport Health and Safety. Glyn has the following practical tips for fleet managers to help meet Fatigue Management Accreditation Standard 7:
• Conduct regular safety audits: Regularly inspect workplace conditions to identify and mitigate any safety hazards. Ensure that rest areas are clean, safe, and equipped with necessary amenities.
• Optimise work schedules: Design work schedules that comply with fatigue management regulations. Ensure that drivers have sufficient rest breaks and do not exceed maximum work hours.
• Implement health and wellness programs: Promote programs focused on the physical and mental health of drivers. Encourage regular medical check-ups, provide resources for stress management, and offer healthy eating options.
• Provide adequate amenities: Ensure that drivers have access to clean and comfortable rest areas. Amenities should include proper sleeping facilities, dining areas, and clean restrooms.
• Training and awareness: Conduct regular training sessions to educate drivers and staff about the importance of fatigue management and how to maintain a safe working environment.
Leveraging Hubfleet software for compliance
Hubfleet software can be an invaluable tool for fleet managers aiming to comply with NHVAS Fatigue Management Accreditation Standard 7. Here’s how Hubfleet can assist:
• Scheduling: Hubfleet’s advanced scheduling tool helps create compliant work schedules that optimise driver rest periods and prevent fatigue.
• Real-time monitoring: The software offers real-time monitoring of driver hours, ensuring that no driver exceeds the legal limits and gets adequate rest.
• Safety audits and reporting: Hubfleet provides tools for conducting regular safety audits and generating detailed reports for hazards and incidents, helping managers identify and address potential workplace hazards promptly.
• Driver feedback and communication: Hubfleet facilitates communication between drivers and management, allowing for timely feedback on workplace conditions and help facilitate rapid resolution of any issues.
Ensuring compliance with the NHVAS Fatigue Management Accreditation Standard 7 is crucial for the safety and wellbeing of drivers. By focusing on creating safe and conducive workplace conditions, fleet managers can significantly reduce the risks associated with driver fatigue.
Leveraging tools like Hubfleet software can streamline compliance efforts, making it easier to monitor, manage, and improve workplace conditions. Ultimately, a well-implemented fatigue management strategy not only ensures regulatory compliance but also enhances overall fleet performance and driver satisfaction.
Disclaimer: This article offers general guidance. For specific legal advice and detailed information on Fatigue Management Accreditation, always consult the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) website or an accredited legal advisor.
With regard to what’s been said above (quoted below); perhaps politicians should be required to: “Ensure that rest areas are clean, safe, and equipped with necessary amenities” ; and, guarantee that “Amenities…include proper sleeping facilities, dining areas, and clean restrooms”. However, first, they should provide us with “rest areas”, at regular intervals along our major highways. Before they can be “clean, safe, and equipped with necessary amenities”, rest areas need to exist!