As the holiday season approaches, the transport industry faces increased pressures—longer hours, tighter deadlines and heightened risks on the roads. Fatigue management becomes more critical than ever during this busy period, and with increased enforcement activities like the NHVR’s Operation Omega, now is the time to ensure your drivers and business are fully prepared to meet compliance obligations.
Operation Omega will see intensified roadside inspections focused on fatigue compliance across five states. While enforcement efforts highlight the importance of this issue, proactive action within your business can help protect your drivers, your operations, and the broader community.
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Fatigue isn’t just a regulatory concern – it’s a safety issue that impacts everyone on the road. For drivers, fatigue can lead to reduced reaction times and impaired judgment, increasing the likelihood of accidents. For businesses, non-compliance with fatigue regulations can result in hefty fines, legal actions, and reputational damage.
A compliant fatigue management system ensures your drivers are operating safely, your business is meeting its legal obligations, and everyone gets home safely.
What Your Drivers Need to Do
- Stick to Work and Rest Hours
Drivers must adhere to mandated work and rest requirements. Fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles, including trucks over 12 tonnes and buses designed to carry more than 12 adults, have specific rules that must be followed. - Maintain Accurate Records
Keeping a well-documented log of work and rest hours is crucial. Using tools like Hubfleet’s Electronic Work Diary (EWD) simplifies this process, ensuring drivers record accurate and compliant data in real-time. - Know When to Stop
Recognising the signs of fatigue is essential. If a driver feels tired or unfit to drive, they should stop and rest. Ignoring fatigue puts lives at risk and can lead to serious consequences. - Report Unsafe Pressures
Drivers who feel pressured to operate while fatigued should escalate their concerns. There are confidential reporting lines available to support drivers in these situations.
How Businesses Can Prepare
Fatigue management isn’t just a driver’s responsibility—businesses play a critical role in ensuring compliance and safety. Here’s how you can protect your drivers and your business:
- Implement a Fatigue Management System
A documented fatigue management system helps identify risks and provides clear processes to manage driver fatigue. While formal accreditation isn’t mandatory, tools like Hubfleet’s Safety Management Platform can assist in creating effective, compliance-ready systems. - Plan Realistic Schedules
Avoid overloading drivers with unrealistic deadlines. Ensure rosters include adequate rest breaks and account for contingencies like delays or heavy traffic. - Educate Your Drivers and Staff
Regular training sessions can help drivers and schedulers understand fatigue risks, legal obligations and the importance of compliance. Empower your team to prioritise safety. - Use Real-Time Compliance Tools
Hubfleet’s EWD not only simplifies record-keeping but also provides real-time monitoring of work hours and rest breaks. This proactive tool ensures compliance, reduces administrative burden and keeps drivers safe on the road. - Address Non-Compliance Immediately
If non-compliance is identified, take corrective action. Ignoring breaches not only risks fines but also endangers your drivers and others on the road.
Building a culture of safety within your business is key to effective fatigue management. Open communication, supportive policies and a proactive approach to compliance ensure that safety becomes second nature to everyone involved.
Encourage drivers to report issues, provide ongoing training and demonstrate that your business values their well-being. This not only helps with compliance but also boosts morale and fosters trust within your team.
With Operation Omega set to increase roadside inspections, businesses have a unique opportunity to ensure they’re meeting their obligations. The campaign’s focus on fatigue highlights the importance of having robust systems in place and being prepared for scrutiny.
Using tools like Hubfleet’s EWD allows drivers and businesses to stay ahead of compliance requirements, minimising risks and maximising safety during this busy season.
The holiday period is one of the busiest times for the transport industry, but it’s also a time when safety must remain a top priority. Fatigue management isn’t just about following the rules—it’s about protecting your drivers, your business and everyone who shares the road.
By taking proactive steps, such as leveraging tools like Hubfleet’s EWD, educating your team, and implementing practical systems, you can ensure compliance, reduce risks and create a safer working environment. Let’s make this holiday season a safe and successful one for the entire industry.
About the Author
With 30 years of experience in the heavy vehicle transport industry, Glyn Castanelli is a qualified auditor for NHVAS, WAHVA, AMCAS, and CLOCS-A. As a Compliance and Customer Success Consultant at Hubfleet, he guides companies in navigating complex regulations and optimising their safety management systems. Glyn’s passion for helping businesses thrive extends beyond compliance, encompassing operational improvements and best practices. Glyn is a recognised voice in the industry, regularly sharing his expertise through articles, podcasts and speaking engagements.
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