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Fatigue

Frequently asked questions

Contents

  1. When did the Government introduce the regulations for driving commercial vehicles?
  2. As a transport operator, what do I have to do?
  3. How many hours are solo drivers allowed to work in a day?
  4. What is work time?
  5. How much time off must a solo driver have each day?
  6. What is the longest time a solo driver can have between 7-hour breaks?
  7. Does the day always start and finish at midnight?
  8. When does a driver’s working day actually start?
  9. Must a driver have breaks throughout the day?
  10. What is a ‘break from driving’?
  11. Do the regulations apply to two-up drivers?
  12. Can I get more information about fatigue management?

1.  When did the Government introduce the regulations for driving commercial vehicles?

  • 1 July 2003

2.  As a transport operator, what do I have to do?

A number of things, including:

  • develop a fatigue management plan;
  • provide training for all of your drivers; and
  • make sure all your drivers are certified as medically fit to drive a commercial vehicle.

Contact WorkSafe on 1300 307 877 or email safety@commerce.wa.gov.au to obtain an information pack.

3.  How many hours are solo drivers allowed to work in a day?

Up to 17 hours in a 24-hour period – but not every day.

A commercial vehicle driver can work 45 hours in any 72-hour period.

4.  What is work time?

  • Driving a commercial vehicle.
  • Carrying out work incidental to the driving – loading / unloading / refuelling / paperwork / mechanical repairs or maintenance etc.
  • Time spent operating plant that is integrated with the commercial vehicle, for example a crane.
  • Time spent operating plant that has been transported on the commercial vehicle, for example a bobcat.

5.  How much time off must a solo driver have each day?

At least 7 consecutive hours of non-work time in any 24-hour period.

A commercial vehicle driver must have 27 hours of non-work time in any 72-hour period.

6. What is the longest time a solo driver can have between 7-hour breaks?

17 hours elapsed time – irrespective of whether the driver works for that whole period.

Example: A commercial vehicle driver may work for 10 hours and then the vehicle breaks down for 4 hours and the driver climbs in to the bunk and rests. When the driver recommences work he is only allowed to work for an additional 3 hours before the maximum of 17 hours has elapsed.

7. Does the day always start and finish at midnight?

No.  It is a rolling clock, which starts when the driver starts work. That is why the regulations refer to a 24-hour period rather than a ‘day’.

8. When does a driver’s working day actually start?

When he or she starts working, not when the driving starts.

Example: A driver will carry out a pre-start check and maybe fuel the vehicle before starting driving the vehicle. Work time starts when the commercial vehicle driver does the pre-start check, not when the driving commences.

9. Must a driver have breaks throughout the day?

Yes.   For every 5 hours of work time a commercial vehicle driver must have 20 minutes breaks from driving.

10. What is a ‘break from driving’?

  • It is a break from the physical task of driving of between 10 and 20 minutes.
  • It is a break of less than 30 minutes so the driver is still considered to be working.
  • The driver can be loading / unloading / refuelling / completing paperwork / checking the load restraints etc.

All of those activities provide a break from the task of driving

11.   Do the regulations apply to two-up drivers?

Yes, but the regulations for two-up driving are different

Contact WorkSafe on 1300 307 877 or email safety@commerce.wa.gov.au for more information.

 12. Can I get more information about fatigue management?

Yes.  Contact WorkSafe for more information.  

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