03:22 pm, Thursday 16 September, 2010

A bakery in Geraldton has been charged for failing to provide adequate rest breaks for its delivery drivers.

WorkSafe is prosecuting the company for its alleged breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The safety watchdog alleges the company allowed its drivers to work for more than 17 hours a day during a 24-hour period.

WorkSafe also alleges that the company, which regularly transports products from Geraldton to Karratha six days a week, allowed drivers to work without the appropriate medical certification.

The firm has been convicted of similar breaches on two previous occasions.

The Geraldton Magistrates Court is expected to hear the case on October 21.

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07:59 pm, Wednesday 28 July, 2010

Truck drivers may automatically lose demerit points for violating fatigue regulations under a proposal from the National Transport Commission (NTC).

The suggestion has received lukewarm response from transport unions.

The Australian Trucking Association’s Jill Lewis drivers could lose their licence if the proposal pushes through.

“They automatically lose their job, they lose their income, they can’t pay their mortgages,” she said.

The Bob Nanva from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union suggested giving employers the power to decide how long staff should work.

“What the draft legislation proposes is to allow rail operators the flexibility to determine their own shift lengths and to determine what they think are reasonable rest breaks that could potentially be done on the basis of what’s cost efficient,” he said.

“When it comes to the safety of the public that’s not acceptable.”

NTC is evaluating state and territory heavy vehicle and rail laws in anticipation of a shake-up in the transportation industry. One change includes the assumption of control by new national regulators in 2013.

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01:43 pm, Tuesday 25 May, 2010

WorkCover is pushing to minimise fatigue in long-distance trucking.

WorkCover has launched a campaign in recognition that fatigue is a relevant safety and health risk for the 36,000 NSW truckers.

According to WorkCover, everyone involved in long-distance freight transport has a role in reducing the risks of fatigue, whether he is a driver, employer, carrier, consignor or consignee.

As part of the campaign, WorkCover staff will visit businesses connected with transporting freight and give guidance materials. WorkCover will also conduct driver awareness days.

The driver awareness days are aimed at informing businesses of good fatigue management practices and how to recognise the signs of fatigue.

For the workplace visits, inspectors will focus on issues such as risk management practices, the development and management of fatigue management plans, safety training for drivers, and workers compensation and injury management systems.

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