1/7/03
The State Government has legislated to ensure commercial vehicle drivers get proper rest breaks, in an effort to avoid traffic crashes involving trucks.
Consumer and Employment Protection Minister John Kobelke said today that trucks could be lethal weapons and people needed to get serious about the risk of driver fatigue.
"Make no mistake - trucks can be lethal weapons, and we can't turn a blind eye to some of the totally unacceptable practices currently being utilised in the commercial transport industry," Mr Kobelke said.
"Research shows an alarming 15 to 30 per cent of fatal road crashes can be attributed to fatigue and it is believed a large number of fatal truck crashes are due to fatigue.
"Another alarming fact is that a working week of more than 70 hours is common practice for many owner-drivers in the commercial transport industry.
"The Gallop Government is committed to creating safer communities, so with the support of the transport industry we are now promoting a systematic approach to organising drivers' schedules and rosters to minimise the hazard of fatigue.
"We made an election commitment to combat the issue of fatigue in the commercial vehicle industry and to this end we have allocated $250,000 per annum to WorkSafe through the Road Trauma Fund to help in enforcing against fatigue."
New Occupational Safety and Health Regulations that come into effect today emphasise the importance of sleep and the timing of work and rest to take into account factors such as minimum sleep requirements, the opportunity for sleep and duration of working time.
The new regulations were developed with significant input from the transport industry, experts and the tripartite WorkSafe Western Australia Commission.
A code of practice had been in operation in WA since 1998, and the new regulations would underpin a new code of practice that was currently being developed for the industry.
Mr Kobelke said the code of practice aimed to provide practical guidance on the requirements of the regulations.
"This code explains how the requirements apply to people who are responsible for the operation of commercial vehicles in workplaces and to the commercial vehicle drivers themselves," he said.
"The operating standard included in the regulations was developed by a tripartite group of unions, Government and employer representatives.
"The operating standard was actually sought by the industry itself, and the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission responded to the request."
Mr Kobelke said the State Government's Commercial Vehicle Driver Fatigue campaign would soon begin to raise awareness of public information forums being held in metropolitan and regional centres.
"The regulatory regime is targeted at heavy vehicles and what we are trying to do is to avoid serious injuries and fatalities in an industry renowned for having some rogue operators," he said.
"We are not targeting those who set and maintain responsible work schedules - the standard is part of a total package aimed at saving lives."
Minister's office: 9222 9211
