| The National Heavy
Vehicle Regulator has released its latest bushfire related news -
reprinted below: |
Bulletin 3: Released on 16
January 2020
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Bushfires are continuing to impact heavy vehicle operations
across Australia.
The following Bulletin provides important information in
relation to OSOM restrictions, fatigue provisions and the bushfire
recovery.
NHVR is urging all heavy vehicle operators to take steps to
ensure safe travel when operating in and around areas affected by
bushfires.
Where possible operators should avoid travelling in bushfire
impacted zones, however if required, be aware of local emergency
access arrangements.
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Personal Use Exemption available
Operators should be aware of options when using a
fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle for personal use, particularly in
areas where there are no alternative means of transport.
The Personal use exemption, allows an additional hour for
private or non-commercial activities, such as reaching suitable
sleeping accommodation and restocking supplies for a trip. The
exemption applies if the truck is unladen or unhitched.
Drivers using the exemption still have a responsibility to
manage their own fatigue and stop driving if tired.
The NHVR recently extended the exemption to include drivers
operating under Basic and Advanced Fatigue Management, as well as
under Standard hours.
For more information on the Personal use exemption visit
www.nhvr.gov.au/fatigue-personal-use
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Understand emergency fatigue provisions – what you can and
can’t do
An emergency services work and rest hour exemption may apply if
working with or under the direction of emergency services. This
includes transporting relief supplies or working to restore
essential utilities and services.
For this exemption to apply, written or verbal direction must be
received from emergency service personnel.
While the direction may exempt you from complying with work and
rest limits and maintaining work diaries, they do not exempt an
operator or a driver from managing fatigue.
Drivers should keep a record of any instruction given by
emergency services.
Drivers should stop work and rest immediately if they are
feeling fatigued at any time while operating a heavy vehicle.
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The NHVR has been out across eastern Victoria over the past
few days escorting drivers through fire affected areas, along
narrow or damaged roads often under poor visibility and missing
signage. Pictured is one of three loads of hay in a convoy for
“Need for Feed” being escorted to properties between Bairnsdale and
Orbost. The NHVR thanks operators for their assistance and care
when accessing these areas.
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OSOM Restrictions lifted in Southern NSW
Transport for NSW advises that the restrictions placed on OSOM
travel in Southern NSW last week as a result of bushfires
have now been lifted.
The situation in this area is still unpredictable and conditions
may change at short notice. Operators are requested to maintain a
high level of caution when travelling in these areas.
There are still a significant number of emergency service and
Defence Force vehicles assisting with the recovery effort. Roads
could be affected by smoke and there may still be damage in some
areas as a result of the fires.
Operators are asked to visit
www.livetraffic.com for the latest traffic information,
download the
Live Traffic NSW app or call 132 701.
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Heavy vehicle access across bushfire affected areas.
The NHVR is experiencing a significantly increased number of
permit applications. We request operators to avoid any
non-essential permit applications in the coming weeks.
Heavy vehicle operators on the road should take a number of
steps when accessing bushfire-affected areas.
- Check the local road conditions through state government
websites. A list of websites with the latest information about road
conditions can be found below.
- If travelling in an affected area, check with local emergency
services or recovery operations.
- Ensure your vehicle is able to travel on the existing network.
If you’re travelling outside of these networks, you may need to
obtain a permit through the NHVR Portal at
www.service.nhvr.gov.au or call 1300 696 487 for
assistance.
- Ensure you have enough food and water supplies in case of
unexpected conditions, and avoid using back tracks or off-network
roads to get around road closures.
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If fires have interfered with your ability to lodge access or
accreditation applications please get in contact with us on 1300
MYNHVR (1300 696 487) or info@nhvr.gov.au so we can provide
appropriate support and guidance.
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NHVR to provide support to meet accreditation requirements
Due to recent bushfire activity over an extended period of time,
it is possible some NHVAS accreditations could have lapsed with
operators unable to lodge the required ‘maintain accreditation’
application or not being able to meet their audit commitments.
With consideration to the extreme circumstances, should such a
situation be the case, please
contact the NHVR accreditation team so that we can provide
appropriate support and guidance for continuation in the NHVAS.
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Road Closures
There continues to be a significant amount of road closures
across the country due to ongoing bushfires.
When planning your journey, please check the road closure maps
below, in addition to using the relevant approved vehicle-type
access maps within your state.
You can find up-to-date maps for each state at the
following:
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