National heavy vehicle regulator the NHVR has launched a new Advanced Fatigue Management digital application pack on its web Portal, exp;painign that it is aimed at delivering better support for the heavy vehicle industry to access safe and tailored fatigue risk management options.
NHVR acting CEO, Raymond Hassall said the NHVR had worked closely with the heavy vehicle industry to develop the new application pack, which is designed to remove unnecessary complexity and provide improved guidance.
“AFM provides transport operators with the ability to tailor work and rest options within outer work limits, so long as they can demonstrate appropriate risk controls and transparency in their operations,” Hassall said.
“As Australia’s safety regulator, we are committed to supporting operators and drivers to work together to ensure drivers are behind the wheel when they are most fit, and resting when they are tired.
“The new AFM application pack has reduced 40 pages of paperwork into an online tool that includes a step-by-step process with templates, real world work and rest hour examples and risk controls so there is no need to start from scratch.
“While standard hours suit many businesses, AFM provides those operators who want to establish a more fit for purpose approach to managing fatigue safety risks and be transparent about what they are doing.”
The application pack was launched at the Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of South Australia Conference in Adelaide.
President of the LRTASA Frank Tedesco said the new approach would greatly support livestock and rural transporters, particularly due to the unique nature of transporting live loads.
“Livestock transporters can often face uncertainty and complex situations during journeys,” Tedesco said.
“Having the flexibility get to a safe location will minimise stress on drivers and improve safety outcomes.
“The new application pack makes it clear what safety practices are expected to offset fatigue safety risks and is customizable so each business can tailor to their own needs.”
AFM is a module within the NHVR’s National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme, that provides a performance-based approach to fatigue risk management
AFM applications are still assessed against the ministerially approved NHVAS Business Rules and Standards.
Features of new AFM Application Pack include an online tool in the NHVR Portal that includes fillable forms and templates, reducing complexity and unnecessary paperwork, support by a dedicated case manager who will work directly with transport businesses every step of the way in completing, lodging and providing post application support, real world work and rest hours examples based on common AFM approved schedules, meaning there is no need for businesses to start from scratch, a selection of customisable risk controls and counter measures that operators can select to offset and manage fatigue safety risks and automatically generated safety case to support AFM applications, provided in a downloadable and consistent format.
The NHVR says it will continue to work with industry to improve the information in the AFM application pack and update the content to ensure it remains fit for purpose and added that the new application pack is available under the accreditation menu in the NHVR Portal.
