The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has published a new draft Code of Practice aiming to improve safety outcomes in the log haulage industry.
The new code will help the industry establish safer outcomes in the transport of logs from forest to mill or port.
Providing guidance for businesses at every level of the forest log haulage task, the new Log Haulage Industry Code of Practice (LHC) was developed in collaboration with the Australian Forest Products Association and the Australian Forest Contractor’s Association, as well as industry stakeholders.
“The LHC is a practical guide of interest to anybody who conducts business in the forestry sector. It supports parties in the Chain of Responsibility to understand and meet their primary duty and other obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL),” NHVR acting chief safety and productivity officer Paul Sariban says.
“Consulting with industry associations and stakeholders in the creation of the new LHC was key in allowing us to properly understand how the industry’s operations are conducted, identify any hazards and document or develop effective control measures to eliminate the risks they may cause.”
The new code is now open for public feedback for the next eight weeks, with the NHVR considering any feedback as part of its assessment process.
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Sariban says the new code is relevant to anyone who owns a forestry area where logs are harvested, who harvests or stockpiles logs for transport, who loads, operators or contracts heavy vehicles to transport logs or who manages a facility such as a mill where logs are delivered.
“The code also assists businesses to assess training needs for drivers and other workers,” Sariban says.
“Like all heavy vehicle drivers, drivers of log haulage vehicles must comply with numerous obligations under the HVNL, including loading requirements, mass and dimension requirements, and fatigue management.
“Additionally, log haulage drivers confront particular challenges operating off-road or on primitive dirt roads, in all weather and with vehicles loaded near to their maximum capacity. High-quality on-going training must be provided to ensure that drivers are sufficiently skilled to carry out these operations safely and efficiently.”
Sariban does say that businesses can’t use the code to “pass the buck” to drivers when things go wrong.
“The HVNL makes it clear that the Primary Duty is shared by all the parties who have a role in the transport task, acknowledging the opportunities that different parties have to eliminate or reduce risks to public safety from the use of heavy vehicles,” Sariban says.
“For example, forestry managers can reduce driving hazards through road design, signage and traffic control, while loaders can improve vehicle stability by careful selection and placement of logs.”
Sariban says heavy vehicles and equipment used for hauling were also often exposed to rough and uneven ground, and to damage caused by the heavy equipment used for loading and unloading.
“The environments these heavy vehicles are subjected to can damage vehicle components, so the new LHC provides in-depth guidance and control measures, so that all parties in the supply chain can work together to minimise damage to vehicles, and to identify and address vehicles and loads that may pose risks to public safety,” he says.
“By collectively embracing a safety-first approach, we can protect lives and infrastructure and maintain a productive industry.”
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