NHVR launches industry Code of Practice for Tassie agricultural industries

Agricultural and horticultural industry participants in Tasmania now have clearer guidance on how to manage hazards and risks around heavy vehicle use, with the NHVR last week registering the Tasmanian Agricultural and Horticultural Registered Industry Code of Practice.

The Code covers such topics as fatigue management, vehicle maintenance and roadworthiness, mass management and load restraint and more.

The full Code can be found here.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the Code had been developed by the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) – the peak body representing the interests of Tasmanian farmers at a state and national level – following consultation with a wide range of industry participants.

“The Tasmanian Agricultural and Horticultural Registered Industry Code of Practice has been developed by the industry for the industry – who know first-hand the heavy vehicle related hazards and risks faced every day,” Mr Petroccitto said.

“As well as being industry-specific, the code also recognises that every business is different, and so doesn’t propose a ‘one size fits all’ solution that every industry participant must use.

”Instead, it proposes a range of control measures from which businesses can select, so they can tailor their approach to best suit their circumstances and eliminate or minimise public risks.

“I’d like to congratulate the TFGA on their efforts to make the Tasmanian agricultural and horticultural industries safer for all participants and, indeed, for all road users.”

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TFGA Director and Interim CEO Marcus McShane said that, apart from improving safety, the Tasmanian Agricultural and Horticultural Registered Industry Code of Practice may also promote consistency in the way that tasks are carried out.

“If our industry shares a common understanding of risks and the best ways to eliminate or minimise these, then we can coordinate better when we work with each other by using common terminology and aligning systems, processes, and equipment,” Mr McShane said.

The NHVR is currently working with stakeholders to develop five further industry codes of practice, and says it welcomes enquiries and suggestions about other new codes.

The NHVR says that an industry code of practice provides practical guidance for achieving the standards of heavy vehicle safety and compliance required under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). In particular, it assists users to comply with their primary duty, which is an overarching safety duty.

A Registered Industry Code of Practice is relevant to any person or business that has a duty under the HVNL, because they are a party in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) for a heavy vehicle, or because they are an executive of a business that is a party in the CoR.