NHVR allocates $250K to transport industry training and research body
The Transport Education Audit Compliance Health Organisation (TEACHO) has received $250,000 of heavy vehicle safety funding to support the Transport Industry Mental Health Initiative: Steering Healthy Minds.
TEACHO, the transport industry training and research body, was allocated the funds through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) 2020 Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, which is supported by the Federal Government.
Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) Queensland branch secretary Peter Biagini believes the funding would support the organisation to improve heavy vehicle safety through the promotion of positive mental health programs across the transport industry.
“Poor mental health is a blight on the transport sector in this country,” Biagini says.
“TEACHO, in conjunction with the TWU and employers, has spent the last 18 months developing and rolling out a mental health pilot program in various worksites to improve mental health among transport workers.
“This funding will allow the program to be expanded across the industry.
“We know that with this current pandemic, the mental health of working people across Australia has taken a serious hit, which is why Steering Healthy Minds is such an important program.”
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says the funding was part of $5.5 million being distributed across the country.
“Heavy vehicle safety is everyone’s responsibility and through local safety programs we can make our roads safer for all road users,” he says.
“Twenty-six recipients from across Australia will be supported to roll out programs targeting heavy vehicle safety. From road safety education, to truckie physical and mental health, to the investigation of braking technologies, tyres and pavement wear, these diverse projects will all make a big difference to safety.
“The NHVR is looking forward to working with the winning bids to ensure the projects deliver safety outcomes for all road users.”
More information can be found at www.nhvr.gov.au/hvsi.
Photography: Greg Bush