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The NHVR is reminding operators of heavy vehicles transporting grapes to pay attention to their mass, loading, fatigue and work and rest hour requirements under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

The reminder comes after grape spillage was found at major intersections and heavy vehicles transporting grapes inspected by NHVR’s Safety and Compliance Officers were found to be non-compliant. 

Mass and load requirements

Grapes, like all harvest goods, must be secured to meet the loading performance standards.

The NHVR is reminding operators of heavy vehicles and heavy vehicle combinations transporting round hay bales to restrain bales safely and in manner that complies with the loading requirements in the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

The reminder comes after an increased number of heavy vehicles inspected by NHVR’s Safety and Compliance Officers found round hay bales were not adequately secured or were not secured using an appropriate restraint method. 

The NHVR has released a temporary notice to support the movement of essential food items from SA to WA during the unprecedented flooding events that have impacted large parts of central Australia.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the National Class 3 Supplementary Access (Western Australia Assistance) Exemption Notice 2022 (No.1) will provide temporary access for Class 3 vehicles that are road trains up to 53.5 metres in length and the equivalent of Higher Mass Limits.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has welcomed the appointment of David Elliott as NSW Minister for Transport, Natalie Ward as NSW Minister for Metropolitan Roads and Sam Farraway as NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads.

NHVR Chair Duncan Gay said the NHVR had a close working relationship with the NSW Government and Transport for NSW in pursuing strong road safety and productivity reform outcomes.

“On behalf of the NHVR staff and Board, I welcome David, Natalie and Sam and congratulate them on their appointments,” Mr Gay said.

Eligible concrete agitator drivers can continue to record idle time spent in a stationary vehicle while the engine is running as a ‘short work break’, under the upcoming National Heavy Vehicle Concrete Agitator Work and Rest Hours Exemption Notice 2022 (No 1).

The renewed exemption notice comes into effect on 1 January 2022 and will allow concrete agitator drivers to take 30 minute ‘short work breaks’ in blocks of 15 continuous minutes while they are sitting in the driver’s seat of a loaded truck and not working.

The NHVR will commence using branded security seals from 4 January 2022, supporting measures to deliver a consistent tamper proof transport and logistics network.

The seals will be used by NHVR officers in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and the ACT where a heavy vehicle’s load is sealed and inspected.

Director Southern Region (Operations) Paul Simionato confirmed the seals would add an additional level of assurance for operators and drivers, together with those taking final delivery of loads.

The NHVR has congratulated owners and operators that have contributed to a significant improvement in the mechanical health of Australia’s heavy vehicle fleet.
 
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the results of the National Roadworthiness Survey 2021 (NRS:2021) which inspected 13,325 heavy vehicle units across 8338 heavy vehicle combination in all Australian states and territories between May and June showed significant improvements.