The Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) has welcomed NHVR support for AFCA’s National Forestry Logistics Safety Program (NFLSP) to deliver safer roads as part of the next round of Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative program. Source: Timberbiz
The Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative called for implementable, value-for-money initiatives that deliver significant heavy vehicle safety benefits.
Stacey Gardiner, AFCA’s General Manager said: “the initiative was one of 12 programs approved for a share of the $3.9 million funding by the NHVR, supported by the Federal Government”.
The forest industry has been working collaboratively on forestry specific haulage challenges such as load restraint and managing truck rollover using static rollover threshold.
The findings of this research inform how our industry complies with the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
“The NFLSP will be delivered via a series of free regional forestry workshops across Australia specifically targeting Forestry Contracting Businesses and transport operators and loaders,” Ms Gardiner said.
The workshops provide an opportunity to hear about the testing and evaluation of recent research and consider how it can apply to individual businesses and industry more broadly.
It is important for our industry to continue to be the safest we can be and these workshops will assist in achieving this.
AFCA has partnered with Engistics, who have had led the evaluation of log load restraint methods and they will be assisting in developing the content and delivery of the workshops.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said all 12 programs would provide road safety benefits.
“These projects will help change lives and save lives,” Mr Chester said. “The Commonwealth Government is investing money in valuable road safety initiatives that have been called for by industry and are targeted to where they can make a real difference.”
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto welcomed the partnership with the Australian Forest Contractors Association.
“We don’t pretend to have all the answers, which is why we asked groups to harness their existing knowledge and deliver heavy vehicle safety outcomes,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“We sought proposals for programs that can be delivered nationally to enhance safety across the heavy vehicle industry and therefore the safety of all road users.”
For more information on funded programs visit www.nhvr.gov.au/hvsi
