Since the legislation was changed and the health and well-being of workers became the responsibility of everyone that took part in the supply chain it has meant that before every decision is made a number of different factors need to be taken into consideration.
When it comes to loading and unloading responsibilities at any site the duties of the staff that are involved to reduce driver fatigue are according to http://www.ntc.gov.au:
“A loading manager is a person who manages premises where 5 or more heavy vehicles are loaded/unloaded each day or supervises or controls a loader/unloader.
Under the new laws a loading manager must take all reasonable steps to ensure that loading and unloading of vehicles will not cause, or contribute to causing, a driver of a heavy vehicle to:
- drive while impaired by fatigue; or
- drive while in breach of his or her work/rest hours option.
Examples of taking reasonable steps include agreeing on time slots for loading/unloading, providing a system for reporting delays and managing late arrivals and providing rest facilities.
Where a time slot can’t be nominated or the waiting time is more than 30 minutes, the loading manager must ensure that the driver is able to take a rest while waiting for the vehicle to be loaded or unloaded.
This may include notifying the driver when the vehicle can be loaded or unloaded so that the driver does not need to be awake or unreasonably alert.
- Controlling the risk
- Limit the number of movements per truck (the basic principle for the queuing system of work is “slot in one movement”)
- Honour the rostered times or slots at all times
- Manage changes/reschedules of slot allocation so that risk-taking behaviour by drivers does not occur (e.g. drivers speeding or missing scheduled breaks to arrive on time)
- If engaging transport services, ensure contracts are reasonable and do not encourage drivers to break the law
- Drivers are provided with adequate amenities to minimise fatigue.”
Source: http://www.ntc.gov.au/viewpage.aspx?documentid=1494
The most important thing to remember is that if everyone works together to minimise fatigue all workplaces become safer and workers get to go home at night alive.
And apart from the fact that anyone involved in the chain of supply can be prosecuted for doing the wrong thing it works best if everyone involved looks out for their colleagues, contactors and drivers.
Peter Cutforth is a Director at Urban E-Learning, a global elearning and web strategy firm based in George St Brisbane. Peter's interests extend to training, safety and compliance, online marketing, and Mobile Apps.
