Issue Date:  -  Friday, 26 August 2005

Northam roadblocks catch lawbreakers

A WorkSafe roadblock exercise in Northam last week has exposed many interstate transport companies that are not complying with fatigue safety laws.

The joint roadblock exercise led by WorkSafe and involving officers from six government agencies found that some transport companies are still not complying with the State’s fatigue safety laws.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today that it was disappointing to note that eastern states transport companies appeared to be complying with the laws to a lesser extent than their WA counterparts.

“We undertook a roadblock exercise last month in Broome and Port Hedland that looked at transport companies plying the north-south route, and we were relatively happy with the level of compliance in that area,” Ms Lyhne said.

“But this latest roadblock has resulted in the issue of no less than 25 prohibition notices, most of which directed the driver to have a period of seven continuous hours of non-work time before continuing their journey.”

The recent roadblock involved officers from WorkSafe, WA Police, Main Roads, the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, Roadwise and the Merredin Branch of the State Emergency Services, with the agencies looking at issues under their jurisdiction and the SES providing support services.

Transport South Australia Inspectors stopped vehicles at Ceduna in SA and WA Police stopped vehicles at the WA/SA border, and both provided details to WorkSafe inspectors at Northam.

A total of 263 trucks were stopped again at Northam, and checks made of the times and distances traveled to ascertain whether they were taking the proper rest breaks and had an appropriate Fatigue Management Plan in place.

The 25 prohibition notices were issued against drivers who were not in compliance with requirements for rest and other provisions of the fatigue regulations, and inspectors will conduct follow-up investigations of 67 transport operators.

Prohibition Notices are issued when an inspector sees a serious and imminent danger to employees, and the activity must then cease until the hazard no longer exists.

A comprehensive Code of Practice for the management of fatigue has been in operation in WA since 1998, and regulations governing fatigue management for commercial vehicle drivers have been in place since July 2003, when an updated Code of Practice was also released.

“The regulations are there to ensure that commercial vehicle drivers get enough rest so they can drive safely and avoid endangering their lives and the lives of others on the roads.

“It is essential that we get the message through that the human body has limitations and adequate rest and sleep is needed to safely undertake long-distance driving.”

Further information on fatigue and copies of the Code of Practice can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9327 8777 or on the website at www.safetyline.wa.gov.au.