NHVR issues first safety alert

The NHVR has issued its first safety warning in relation to the recent BP fuel tanker tragedy that occurred near Wodonga, Victoria

Truck operators using dog trailers, pig trailers and road train dollies are being urged to double-check all trailer and dolly coupling systems in a warning issued nationally last week.

The alert was the first safety warning issued by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), as it weighed into the national debate on safety and compliance in the road transport industry.

Sal Petroccitto, NHVR's Chief Executive Officer, said one of the key tasks of the Regulator was to issue timely safety advice.

The alert follows the horrific wreck near Wodonga, Victoria, where three people died when a tanker trailer came loose while in transit.

BP Australia has since pulled around 50 trucks and associated trailers off the road and safety inspections have been carried out.

The national fleet, mostly contractors, had returned to work by the end of last week.

Mr Petroccitto said the NHVR's safety and compliance alert was part of the Regulator's charter in offering important and practical advice that operators could act on promptly.

"Our advice to operators who are working with dog trailers, pig trailers and road train dollies is that they should read this safety advice closely and should consider actions they can take to assure the integrity of their trailer or dolly coupling systems, with a particular focus on the tow eye fitment," he said.

Mr Petroccitto said the alert outlined the facts so far and identified issues to be considered when carrying out inspections for operators to consider should they undertake inspections.

Regarding the Wodonga catastrophe, Mr Petroccitto was reticent to offer any further details.

"I need to stress that the frontline investigation continues to be led by Victoria Police and we are providing this advice without comment as to any contributory cause to the collision," he said.

"As a national Regulator, we are very aware that safety doesn’t stop at the border."

The NHVR will work with compliance agencies in all states to make sure the right information is shared across all departments to determine future coordinated action to prevent further occurrences of this type of tragedy.

The NHVR Safety and Compliance Alert 1/2014, issued 19 August 2014, can be viewed here.

NHVR issues first safety alert

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