Joint working group to lead accreditation reform

The NHVR and heavy vehicle industry will establish an accreditation working group to respond to a comprehensive report into heavy vehicle accreditation schemes.

NHVR Executive Director of Productivity and Safety Geoff Casey said the Analysis of Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Schemes in Australia by respected consultant Peter Medlock provided a range of options for the future of heavy vehicle schemes.

“The Medlock analysis has made nine short, medium and long-term recommendations following a review of the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme, TruckSafe, CraneSafe and Western Australian Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme,” Mr Casey said.

“Accreditation schemes are now utilised by more than 20 per cent of Australia’s heavy vehicle fleet and that means flow-on benefits such as increased safety and productivity for operators.

“The report will be assessed by a national working group and will include industry, government and NHVR representatives to map out a national accreditation framework to deliver more consistency across the schemes.”

Recommendations included the need to ensure robust audit requirements, greater consistency between schemes through alignment of standards, mutual recognition between schemes, development of a single national accreditation framework, regulatory concessions and expanding the membership of accreditation schemes.

Australian Trucking Association CEO Ben Maguire said the review recognised TruckSafe as a robust scheme and the report would establish a new basis for heavy vehicle accreditation in Australia.

“The review recognises that schemes which operate to a required set of robust standards should receive the same concessions as those in the NHVAS,” Mr Maguire said.

“The review also recommends that consideration be given to the NHVR focusing on its expanded compliance responsibilities and supervising alternative providers of industry accreditation.

“This is an exciting report with great potential to reform the heavy vehicle industry.”

Western Australian Main Roads Director Heavy Vehicles Services, Gary Player said the WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (WAHVA) scheme was established in 2002 and is compulsory for all restricted access vehicles and those operating on permits or concessions.

“The WAHVA scheme requires transport operators to have appropriate systems and processes in place to make heavy vehicle operations safer and we would support any efforts nationally that would lead to further improvements to heavy vehicle safety across Australia,” Mr Player said.

The NHVR appointed Mr Medlock in October 2017 to conduct the analysis. Further consultation with government, industry groups and operators was undertaken during May and June, this year.

The Analysis of Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Schemes in Australia is available at www.nhvr.gov.au/about-us/engaging-with-industry/review-of-heavy-vehicle-accreditation-systems