Roadblocks reveal improvements, but concerns remain
Issue Date: - Tuesday, 25 November 2008
A WorkSafe roadblock exercise at Carrabin near Merredin this month has revealed an improvement in compliance, but continuing concerns with rest breaks for commercial vehicle drivers.
The joint roadblock was conducted by WorkSafe inspectors and WA Police, with assistance from the State Emergency Service.
WorkSafe Director Joe Attard said today the operation found that transport companies were generally complying with the laws for commercial vehicles, but rest breaks were still a cause for concern.
“The results of these ongoing roadblocks suggest that compliance with the laws is improving, but it is disappointing to find that the mandatory rest breaks are still not being taken in some cases,” Mr Attard said.
“We must keep in mind that fatigue remains a significant occupational safety and health issue in the commercial transport industry, and that rest breaks are essential to safely undertake long-distance driving.”
A total of 211 commercial vehicles were stopped at the Carrabin roadblock, with six improvement notices and seven prohibition notices issued to drivers who had not had the mandatory seven-hour rest break.
In addition to these notices, inspectors will follow up with another 42 transport companies on other fatigue-related issues such as medical checks for drivers, training of drivers and keeping proper records.
“Notices were issued where rest breaks had not been taken, including seven prohibition notices requiring drivers to pull over for the required rest breaks immediately,” Mr Attard said.
“A comprehensive code of practice for the management of fatigue has been in operation in WA since 1998 – updated in 2003 when the regulations came into effect – so transport companies have now had five years in which to comply with the laws.
“There seems to have been a steady increase in understanding of the fatigue laws, and it does seem that the industry has come to grips with the fact that the laws are there to ensure that commercial vehicle drivers are given sufficient rest.
“But we are still finding far too many instances of drivers not having had sufficient rest, and it is worth reminding the industry that the human body has limitations and adequate sleep and rest is essential.
“These roadblocks are an excellent example of cooperation between agencies, with valuable assistance provided to WorkSafe’s inspectors by other agencies such as WA Police, the SES who assist by providing hospitality and equipment and the Road Safety Council who provide funding for the roadblock exercises.
“We appreciate the continual improvements being made with regard to fatigue management, but we also intend to continue closely monitoring the commercial transport industry for some time to come,” Mr Attard said.
Further information on fatigue and copies of the code of practice can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9327 8777 (a charge of $3.30 applies for hard copies of the code), or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.
Media contact: Caroline De Vaney 9327 8744 or 0408 927563 (media enquiries only).