The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has announced two more milestones, for the NHVAS and the NHVIM, in the road towards a more rational countrywide truck regulation system. National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme auditors will be working to higher and more consistent standards. At the same time July 1 sees the adoption by six enforcement authorities of the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual.
With these two announcements the NHVR has taken further steps towards consistent enforcement in those states using the national regulator. The NHVAS will also be seen to be moving towards being a better guide to roadworthiness status for the authorities.
NHVAS Auditors
Ninety National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme Approved Auditors, trained by the NHVR, will be coming on stream from July 1 after changes to auditing requirements over the past year.
“The operation of safe, productive and innovative heavy vehicle industry is important for all road users,” said Sal Petroccitto, NHVR CEO. “All our auditors are now approved under the enhanced registration criteria in the NHVAS Business Rules and Standards that will standardise the way audits are conducted and strengthen the quality of audits and auditors.
“The new criteria include requirements to hold technical competencies for heavy vehicles, which may include mechanical qualifications or successfully completing training recognised by the NHVR.
“To assist auditors in meeting these higher requirements the NHVR developed and delivered an Auditors technical competency course in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane.”
The course is said to have provided knowledge to the auditors in relation to the critical safety components on a heavy vehicle and ensured an appropriate level of checks and balances are undertaken during the audit process, particularly for maintenance management. A total of 107 candidates successfully completed the course.
The NHVAS now administers 95,000 vehicles under the maintenance management module and 33,000 vehicles under the Mass Management module. This tops last year’s record of 92,500 vehicles in maintenance and 31,000 in mass management.
July 1 also sees the adoption of the Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual in Victoria and Queensland. These two join NSW, ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania in using this manual to bring greater consistency to heavy vehicle inspections.
NHVIM
“The NHVR is committed to delivering national harmonisation for the heavy vehicle industry, as we know trucks don’t stop at the borders,” said Petroccitto. “The Manual will also be used for inspection trials in the coming weeks for the National Roadworthiness Baseline Survey which will inspect almost 9000 heavy vehicles during August and September.
“This will be the largest health check of heavy vehicles ever undertaken in Australia.”
According to the NHVR, authorised officers and vehicle examiners, across all participating states and territories, will now inspect heavy vehicles based on the same standards and criteria which will revamp vehicle standards compliance and help reduce vehicle downtime.
“The Manual means operators now have a clear picture of the standards, tools and processes used in an inspection, providing confidence in knowing their maintenance meet said requirements,” said Petroccitto. “We want to encourage a more proactive approach to vehicle maintenance and repair. We are working with industry, road transport authorities and police to produce resources and tools to unlock the improved safety outcomes that a national Manual will deliver.”