Issue Date: -
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Fatigue roadblocks once again find problems with rest breaks
A WorkSafe roadblock exercise at Port Hedland this month has revealed varying compliance with fatigue safety laws and continuing neglect of rest breaks.
The joint roadblock was conducted by WorkSafe inspectors, WA Police and Main Roads WA, with assistance from the State Emergency Service.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today the operation found that there have been improvements in compliance with the laws for commercial vehicles, but there was still room for improvement.
“Fatigue is still a significant occupational safety and health issue in the commercial transport industry and it’s pleasing to see that transport companies are largely in compliance with the major aspects of WA’s fatigue regulations,” Ms Lyhne said.
“However, inspectors found continuing problems with mandatory rest breaks, and improvement and prohibition notices were issued when breaches were discovered.
“We’ve seen a steady increase in understanding of the fatigue laws since we began conducting these roadblocks three years ago, and it seems that the industry has generally come to grips with the fact that the laws are there to ensure commercial vehicle drivers are given sufficient rest.”
A total of 173 commercial vehicles were stopped at the Port Hedland roadblock, with nine improvement notices and one prohibition notice issued to drivers who had not had the mandatory seven-hour rest break.
In addition to these notices, inspectors will follow up with 58 transport companies on other fatigue-related issues such as medical checks for drivers, training of drivers and keeping proper records.
“Although we’re pleased with the improvement in compliance, it is worth reminding the industry that the human body has limitations and adequate sleep and rest is essential to safely undertake long-distance driving,” Ms Lyhne said.
“The inspectors conducting these roadblocks were concerned about the fact that it was the minimum seven-hour continuous rest breaks being missed by drivers, not the short breaks.
“There is a growing tendency in the commercial transport industry to have two drivers, which I hope will continue because it makes it easier to ensure adequate rest breaks.
“These roadblocks are an excellent example of cooperation between agencies, with valuable assistance provided to WorkSafe’s inspectors by other agencies.
“We have been conducting these roadblocks for around three years now, and we intend to continue monitoring the commercial transport industry with roadblocks for some time to come.
“A comprehensive code of practice for the management of fatigue has been in operation in WA since 1998, and it was updated in 2003 when the regulations came into effect.
“I would encourage any company involved in commercial vehicle transport to have copies of the code of practice available to all employees.”
Further information on fatigue and copies of the code of practice can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9327 8777 (a charge is made 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).