Lack of discernible risk sees exemption for primary producers go ahead
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has made the call to extend the 160km work diary exemption for primary producers.
NHVR productivity and safety executive director Geoff Casey says the National Primary Production Work Diary Exemption 2018 will continue and doesn’t pose safety concerns.
“The current notice extending the 100km limit to 160km was first trialed in 2015 and is due to end on October 4,” Casey says.
“A review by the NHVR found that there was no evidence linking the exemption to any safety concerns over the past three years.”
The notice will continue to apply to fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles transporting produce between a primary production facility and a point of sale, processing or distribution (including return journeys) within 160km of the driver’s base for the next three years.
Casey said drivers transporting produce in a fatigue-related heavy vehicle were still required to keep a record of their travel and provide that information to a record keeper.
“The extension of this notice only applies to primary produce transport,” Casey reiterates.
“Drivers of all other fatigue-related heavy vehicles still require a work diary when travelling more than 100km from their base.”
The Notice will only apply in participating NHVR states and territories.
For more information on heavy vehicle fatigue laws visit www.nhvr.gov.au/fatigue or for the existing Notice, click here.
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