Industry back Code of Practice guidelines

13-04-2016

Two of Australia’s leading heavy vehicle industry groups have thrown their support behind new guidelines for nationally consistent Codes of Practice.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto welcomed the support of the Australian Logistics Council and the Australian Trucking Association for the new guidelines which will be introduced from July 1, 2016.

“The new guidelines will add further assistance by helping to educate and support industry to deliver better and more consistent safety outcomes,” Mr Petroccitto said.

“The new guidelines will be robust and demanding for registration, to assure the NHVR and all road users that regulatory compliance and safety risks are being appropriately addressed.

“We are working closely with industry in the development of these guidelines and I welcome their commitment to safety in delivering a national Code of Practice.”

These guidelines will allow stakeholders who have Codes of Practice to submit them to the NHVR for review and formal accreditation.

Mr Petroccitto said the new guidelines will give a clear signal to industry of what is required to meet the highest of safety standards when operating heavy vehicles across Australia.

ATA CEO Chris Melham said the organisation’s flagship program, TruckSafe, would apply to the NHVR under the new guidelines as soon as they come into effect in the coming months.

“The TruckSafe program champions industry best practice and safety, and is proud to be celebrating 20 years in the road safety business this year. We look forward to having TruckSafe formally recognised by the NHVR under these new guidelines,” Mr Melham said.

ALC CEO Michael Kilgariff said industry groups now needed to ensure operators had the tools and support to meet the updated Codes of Practices.

“These amendments will allow Codes of Practice to be admissible as evidence that a party has done all that is reasonably practicable to satisfy a new general duty,” he said.

“It’s important that all operators meet these Codes which I expect will be more closely aligned with Workplace Health and Safety Codes.”

Following the release of the new guidelines all proposed Codes must be assessed by a NHVR appointed third party before registration.