WorkSafe is conducting a proactive inspection program to look at safety issues for commercial vehicle drivers.

The program will continue until the end of the 2019/20 financial year, and will be conducted at road train assembly areas in metropolitan and regional areas of the State.

WorkSafe Director Chris Kirwin said today the inspection program was being undertaken as an alternative to larger-scale operations such as Austrans.

“The two areas the inspectors will focus on are fatigue management and working in isolated areas,” Mr Kirwin said.

“We think that employers are largely in compliance with WA’s fatigue management laws, but we are still finding companies that are not fully complying with their obligations with regard to fatigue management.

“The inspectors still find problems with record keeping, mandatory medical checks for drivers, appropriate sleeper cabs and driver training.

“Most employers now seem to understand that the laws are there to ensure that commercial vehicle drivers are given sufficient rest to allow them to function efficiently.

“However, it is always worth reminding the industry that the human body has limitations, and adequate sleep and rest are essential to safely undertake long-distance driving.”

The other area the inspection program will focus on is work in isolated areas, as WA has seen many examples of people losing their lives in remote locations because they have been largely unprepared.

Many factors, including extreme weather conditions, remoteness, vast distances and rarely travelled roads, mean anyone who has a vehicle breakdown or becomes lost may not be found for some time.

As a minimum, WA’s workplace safety laws require isolated employees to be provided with a means of communication and location in case of emergency, and a procedure for regular contact.

“The inspectors will be checking that commercial vehicles drivers who undertake trips to isolated areas are provided with everything they need to keep themselves safe when they are working in isolated areas,” Mr Kirwin said.

“Even though compliance with the laws appears to have increased over the years, there is no room for complacency and we plan to continue monitoring the industry on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance levels don’t drop off.”

“WorkSafe has an extensive schedule of proactive inspection programs with a primary focus on delivering information to employers, but enforcement action will be taken during the program if breaches of the laws are found.

“These proactive inspection programs aim to help employers comply with workplace safety and health laws, and we firmly believe that raising awareness is the best way in which to lessen the risk of work-related injury and illness.”

Further information on fatigue management and working in isolated areas can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 1300 307877 or on WorkSafe’s website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.

Media Contact: Caroline De Vaney, 6251 2363 or 0408 927563 (media enquiries only)

caroline.devaney@dmirs.wa.gov.au

Follow @WorkSafeWA on Twitter