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Earlier this year, a heavy vehicle carrying portable aeroplane stairs hit the overheight warning dongles on General Holmes Drive in Mascot before stopping at the entrance of the Airport Tunnel.
The heavy vehicle and load height were measured at 4.58m, with the permitted height of the vehicle being 4.3m. Considering the applicable dimension adjustment in favour of the accused, the vehicle’s alleged height was 4.55m, an excess height of 25cm.
Investigations surrounding Chain of Responsibility (CoR) of the transport company and the loader assessed compliance with the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
The transport company was found to be lacking in its business practices and training of drivers and was issued an improvement notice to address these issues.
Investigators then turned their attention to the loader, where they were unable to supply evidence of training and policies and procedures for loading and dimensions to ensure compliance with requirements of the HVNL.
The company also received an improvement notice, specifically related to mass, dimension, and loading management in the context of the CoR legislation. The notice recommends developing business practices, quality assurance systems, risk assessments, and staff training as well as supervision to enhance compliance with legislative obligations, particularly the Primary Duty for transport activities.
The NHVR urges all operators and drivers to be proactive in measuring the height of their loads before and throughout their trip, and to plan their journey ahead of time to ensure they comply with tunnel height clearances.
Read more about overheight compliance and investigation outcomes