Industry Issues

Passing the Buck

In the past, the chain of responsibility (CoR) has been seen as a way for big operators to pass the buck. Now, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is trying to get information out about next year’s changes to CoR legislation to each component in the chain, including drivers, owner-drivers and small operators subcontracting to the bigger operators. In the first of a two-part guide, Diesel News went along to a session to find out more.
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Accreditation Review, EWDs, OBM and Wage Levels

In Diesel News this week, read about the NHVR Accreditation Review, EWDs, OBM and Wage Levels. The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has commissioned an independent review into heavy-vehicle accreditation schemes to support improved road safety. “Heavy-vehicle accreditation schemes have proven benefits for road safety across a number of heavy-vehicle sectors, including trucks, cranes and buses,” said Sal Petroccitto, NHVR CEO. “The national roadworthiness survey released earlier this year showed major non-conformities for vehicles in accreditation schemes dropped from 13 per cent to nine per cent.
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Ravaglioli Commercial Vehicle Wireless Mobile Column Lifts

Technicians’ Award Nominees

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has announced the three finalists for the 2017 Craig Roseneder Award, which recognises technical and maintenance excellence in the trucking industry’s workshops. The judging panel selected Dale Hedley (Vellex, New South Wales), Chris Blanchard (Herb Blanchard Haulage, New South Wales) and Mark Collins (Frasers Livestock Transport, Queensland)for their technical skill, aptitude and dedication to the industry.
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Grain Scheme, Master Code and Autonomous Rules

There have been announcements about a Grain Scheme, Master Code and Autonomous Rules this week, read about them on Diesel News. The Victorian Transport Association has welcomed the establishment of the state’s first Grain Harvest Management Scheme, which will provide a productivity and safety boon for farmers and grain transport workers. The scheme will allow heavy vehicles to increase their load by five per cent during the grain harvest season from October 1 to April 30 2018, when delivering grain to receivers who are also participating in the scheme.
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Taking the Rough with the Smooth

I have been looking back at some of the opinion pieces I have written over the years and reckon the phrase, ‘taking the rough with the smooth’ is quite relevant to many of the topics raised. Nobody ever went into the trucking industry for an easy ride.
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