Non-compliant heavy vehicles transporting poppies and pyrethrums are the focus of a new state-wide summer safety operation by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
Operation Reflect will see NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers (SCOs) run mobile patrols across known transport routes on the Apple Isle to inspect heavy vehicles moving the flowers from farms to storage facilities, the regulator announced today.
NHVR Director Southern Region Paul Simionato said maintaining road safety was a priority during one of the busiest times of the year for harvest in the state.
“The Tasmanian poppy industry supplies almost half of the world’s poppy straw for use in pharmaceuticals, meaning the heavy vehicle industry is in hot demand during this time,” Simionato said.
“With knowledge from previous harvest operations in the state, Operation Reflect aims to collect data on the poppy and pyrethrum industries to assess compliance levels and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements during business activities.
“SCOs will focus on intercepting and inspecting vehicles in strategic locations, to help ensure vehicle standards, primary producer requirements and registration categories are being met.”
Simionato said earlier NHVR operations had identified vehicle standards issues, where some heavy vehicles modified for the transport of poppies and pyrethrum did not meet compliance requirements.
“With these trailers only used for short seasonal periods, they have been associated with multiple roadworthiness concerns,” he said.
“Our SCOs are committed to working with industry to educate them on how to transport these materials safely.
“Ultimately, our priority is always to ensure all heavy vehicles are compliant, so that every road user in the state can make it to their destination safely.”
The NHVR also reminded operators it offers Regulatory Advice for Operating in the Agricultural Sector, to assist all parties in the Chain of Responsibility to ensure the safety of their transport activities.
The latest safety blitz comes in the same month thieves raided a regulated crop in the Northern Midlands and made off with the largest haul ever stolen in the state.
The poppies are highly potent and toxic, with the Department of Health saying that ingestion can be life-threatening and should be treated as an emergency.