Industry Issues

Reduced Medical and Audit Requirements During the Crisis

reduced medical and audit requirements during the crisis

The unprecedented conditions which have occurred in recent months have led the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to come up with reduced medical and audit requirements during the crisis the country is facing.

The NHVR has announced temporary changes to National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) medical requirements and face-to-face audit requirements, in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“We are making some practical changes that will help to take pressure off the health system and support operators and drivers in a time of unprecedented demand,” said Sal Petroccitto, NHVR CEO. 

These changes are:

  • heavy vehicle drivers operating under Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) or Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) accreditations may continue to drive with an expired driver medical, until they can practicably obtain one
  • auditors can undertake all document and records validation and audits remotely, requesting electronic copies be emailed to them or by another suitable method and conducting conversations over the phone where applicable.

“With more than 7,000 businesses benefiting from the NHVAS we have taken the lead on reducing the burden on industry wherever possible,” said Sal. “We have also removed amenity provisions from access permits during curfew periods, worked with states to clarify border restrictions and supported states to make planning changes to support extended freight movement.”

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has thanked the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator for its response to industry feedback, with this announcement.

“Many truck drivers, including drivers who operate under NHVAS fatigue accreditation are required to have regular medicals,” said Ben Maguire, ATA CEO. “The trucking industry is working hard to keep Australia moving amidst the pandemic, but we need to take as much pressure off the health system as possible.

“I would like to thank Sal Petroccitto and the NHVR for listening to the industry and taking action to reduce pressure on trucking businesses, drivers and the health system.

“Our next priority is to argue that a similar approach should be applied to dangerous goods and multi-combination licence medicals.” 

To get in contact with accreditation email accreditation@nhvr.gov.au or phone 1300 MYNHVR

 

reduced medical and audit requirements during the crisis

 

 

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