Fatigue and Safety - Talking Turkey About Trucking

Confused? You will be!

Yet again, this week we see the lives of the trucking community being made more complicated by people in government offices laying down silly rules , but without clarity or explanation. Yes, we are back again with the wonderful Roads and Maritime Services of New South Wales and the low loader license debacle. It’s not just me who is being confused by the RMS. This week the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator put out their weekly Industry Update and it featured a short piece warning low loader drivers in NSW to make sure they hold an MC license, if they are driving with a low loader dolly between the prime mover and the low loader trailer.
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Supermarket Contract Rates Deal

A new initiative from the big players in the road transport market looks at setting rates for the transport of goods destined for the big supermarkets. NatRoad has come out this week and expressed its ongoing concerns over the possibility the Road Safety RemunerationTribunal may shortly proceed to issue a Road Safety Remuneration Order to govern Contractor Minimum Payment Rates.
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Ravaglioli Commercial Vehicle Wireless Mobile Column Lifts

Trucks, Dogs and Brakes

Two initiatives from the Australian Trucking Association are looking at truck and dog safety as well as brake component reliability. The ATA has published a revised and updated version of its truck and
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Fatigue and Safety - Talking Turkey About Trucking

He Who Pays the Piper…

The next round of registration charges will be announced sometime in the New Year and will be greeted with more criticism and complaints. Yet again, the Ministers, both State and Federal, responsible for
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Getting a Fair Go

Many of the contracts entered into by trucking companies are unfair and do not, necessarily, meet all legal requirements. The Australian Trucking Association has said it plans to develop guidance for trucking
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Fatigue and Safety - Talking Turkey About Trucking

A Chain of Consequences

Another outcome from the meeting of Transport Ministers, at the beginning of the month, is changes to the way the chain of responsibility is made to work. These changes look to bring the COR rules more in line with those governing workplace health and safety, to which they are closely related, and overlap at some points.
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Fatigue and Safety - Talking Turkey About Trucking

If it’s Broke, Don’t Fix It

The latest communique from the fourth meeting of the Transport and Infrastructure Council turns out to be much like the ‘Curate’s Egg’, that is, good in parts. There are some encouraging signs in the decisions by the assembled transport ministers of Australia, but the industry is to remain overcharged for rego.
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Shane Wants You To Tell a Mate 

Pushing Out Payments

Trucking company cash flow is likely to come under increased pressure as big freight customers extend their payment terms. According to the Australian Trucking Association, trucking operators supplying
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Overcharging may continue

The trucking industry may continue to be over charged for the use of Australia’s road infrastructure. The meeting of the Australian Transport and Infrastructure Ministerial Council takes place today with a number of big ticket items on the agenda. As the nation’s transport ministers gather in Adelaide, they are set to consider the determination of the level of fuel-based road user charge and vehicle registration charges.
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Who’s Running the Show?

Just to keep the trucking industry aware of its reputation, NSW’s Roads and Maritime Services has done it again. In a direct contradiction of its previous advice, the RMS has now informed heavy haulage operators traveling from interstate they will be required to hold an MC license if using a dolly between prime mover and trailer. “Drivers who operate a low loader trailer, connected to a low loader dolly attached to a prime mover must ensure they hold the appropriate licence class or risk serious fines if caught,” said an MC Class License Bulletin, released by RMS this week. “It is vital that truck drivers hold the correct licence for the vehicle they are operating to ensure they have the right skills to manage the vehicle combination for the safety of all road users. “Drivers and operators who are on the road without an appropriate licence may also risk voiding insurance should there be an incident.”
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