Staff from the New South Wales trucking industry’s peak body, ATA NSW, will be at the Sydney Truck Show (7-10 August at the Sydney Convention Centre) to provide trucking operators with advice on the new fatigue laws.
The manager of ATA NSW, Jill Lewis, says the new laws would involve vast amounts of paperwork for truck drivers and operators when they come into effect on 29 September.
“Under the new laws, every single heavy truck driver in New South Wales will need to keep a work diary showing their working hours and rest breaks, even if they only work a few hours a day in their local area,” Ms Lewis says.
“It’s just one of the changes in the new laws. Every trucking operator will need to understand what they involve, and the best way to get support is to join an industry association like ATA NSW.”
“At the truck show, we’ll be talking to operators about the new laws and explaining the benefits of joining ATA NSW.”
Trucking operators who sign up during the show will receive all our member benefits, including:
- exclusive discounts on diesel through BP;
- members only insurance and risk management support through NTI;
- discounts on training through DECA;
- advice on operational and compliance issues, including the new fatigue laws;
- free help lines on workplace relations, OH&S and injury management;
- exclusive industry news updates; and
- a strong team defending the industry in New South Wales.
Jill Lewis says ATA NSW would continue lobbying the NSW Government for a transition period to give operators and the government more time to get ready for the new laws.
“The NSW Government hasn’t released the final details of the laws; there hasn’t been enough training, and there isn’t a single highway in the state with enough rest areas,” she says.
“Queensland and South Australia have just announced a six month transition period.”
“The New South Wales Government needs to follow suit and announce a transition period for operators in this state as well.”