Australian Lot Feeders Association requested to amend Covid-19 guidelines
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters’ Association (ALRTA) has given short shrift to feedlot amenity impositions on truck drivers.
ALRTA says it has written to the Australian Lot Feeders Association (ALFA) to request removal of the ‘Do not permit drivers to use amenities or facilities’ element of its ‘COVID-19 – A Guide for Feedlots’ guidelines document.
ALRTA national president Stephen Marley says truck drivers provide an essential service for feedlot operations and must not be denied access to basic amenities such as toilets.
“Feedlots are reliant on deliveries of livestock, grain, fodder and fuel. Practically every animal spending time in a feedlot will have been on a truck at least twice,” Marley says.
“Feedlots are often located some distance from other amenity options.
“Inbound/outbound truck drivers may have been on the road for many hours with many hours still to travel.
“Providing reasonable access to amenities and facilities is one of the most basic ways to manage fatigue risk.
“ALRTA has asked ALFA to reconsider the obligation of feedlots to manage fatigue risk under heavy vehicle laws.”
More on ALRTA’s income smoothing call for operators, here
Marley notes ALRTA has been recommended that the restriction on allowing drivers to access amenities be replaced with information about how to provide amenities safety.
“Information on how to do so has been published in the Australian Government protocols released in conjunction with the exemption for businesses operating truck driver facilities.
“It is important for the rural supply chain to work together to deal with increased meat demand while continuing to operate in a manner that best protects the safety of all workers.”
ATN has contacted ALFA for its position on the matter.