03:52 pm, Wednesday 20 February, 2013

The federal government recently announced the creation of the new Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Alertness, Safety and Productivity; the National Transport Commission (NTC) welcomes this news.

Australia is already strong in sleep and alertness research and the new CRC will enable a collaborative approach with expert knowledge, state of the art technologies, and key industry partners all working together.

George Konstandakos, the NTC Acting Chief Executive, said that fatigue is a principle cause of serious injury and death on Australian roads and research helps to create an understanding how fatigue affects employees at work sites.

He said that the NTC is looking forward to working closely with the CRC and others to create practical tools for the industries and policies based on research that can help to safely manage fatigue.

The NTC will actively participate with the CRC to assist the development of reforms and to ensure that they are backed by the best available scientific knowledge.

For more information about the CRC see their website.

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10:32 pm, Thursday 13 September, 2012

The National Transport Commission (NTC) released its National Road Safety Partnership Program draft strategy last week for public consultation. The strategy acknowledges the major role that industry can play in improving road safety in Australia.

NTC Project Director, Dr Jeff Potter said that work-related road accidents in the country account for about 50 percent of all occupational deaths and 15 percent of national road deaths.

“We believe there is significant opportunity to facilitate knowledge sharing about how to improve road safety in the workplace and to provide recognition for those businesses that do the right thing,” said Dr Potter.

According to the draft strategy, driving or operating vehicles as well as commuting to work are the greatest safety risks for workers.

“Our research has found that many Australian businesses already have a positive road safety culture which not only benefits the community but their bottom line as well,” said Dr Potter.

“We’ve found these businesses are eager to share their knowledge and processes, and even act as a mentor for other businesses, so that others can replicate their approaches and improve road safety.”

A steering committee which comprises senior business representatives will assist in the development of the proposed program.

NTC is calling on all businesses to share their thoughts on the proposed program framework.

The draft strategy is open for comment until 18 October.

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02:08 pm, Monday 5 March, 2012

A plan to harmonise rail safety laws across Australia could force train drivers to work for more than 12 hours.

Unions and the NSW government are opposing the proposal, which would throw out a reform stemming from the official inquiries into the Glenbrook and Waterfall train disasters.

National Transport Commission’s draft statement which will be discussed by state transport ministers in May recommends that NSW standards be relaxed instead of forcing other states to strengthen laws on safe working.

NSW train drivers can only work to maximum shifts of 12 hours when working in teams or nine hours when there is only one driver on board.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the proposed reforms would disregard those restrictions and allow individual train operators to apply their own fatigue management systems in conjunction with a national regulator. The Herald further reports that NSW Transport Minister, Gladys Berejiklian, is convincing state counterparts to reject the proposal.

“I won’t support any changes which diminish safety, as safety is always our main priority. The matter will be discussed when transport ministers from around the nation meet in May,” said Ms Berejiklian.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) on Monday expressed their opposition on the proposal.

“There’s no safe level of fatigue and to scrap maximum shifts to make life easier for operators flies in the face of safe work practices. Cost should never come before safety and it’s alarming that a responsible body such as the National Transport Commission would put its name to this report,” said RTBU national secretary, Bob Nanva.

“If harmonisation is simply a race to the bottom based on slashing costs it won’t serve the public interest.”

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01:03 pm, Thursday 1 March, 2012

Australians can now have their say on the proposed options for the consistent national regulation of the management of fatigue risk in the rail industry under the new Rail Safety National Law to commence in 2013.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a draft regulatory impact statement available for public comment which offers four options for managing work and rest hours for rail workers.

According to NTC Chief Executive, Nick Dimopoulos, there are differences in how states and territories regulate fatigue across Australia but this is about to change.

“Complying with multiple fatigue management regulations can be costly and confusing for the rail industry, particularly interstate operators,” said Mr Dimopoulos.

“We’ve been working closely with the project office, governments, industry, unions and fatigue experts to look at ways to harmonise the requirements across the country, while boosting safety and productivity.

“Introduction of agreed national fatigue requirements will lead to a safer, more efficient and more competitive rail industry.”

The NTC, together with the National Rail Safety Regulator Project Office will hold a series of consultation forums in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney this month to solicit feedback on the draft regulatory impact statement.

Public consultation period will conclude on March 21.

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