Construction Transport Compliance

The Local Area Work Diary Exemption is relevant for drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles who operate solely within a 100km radius of their base and return there at the end of each workday. Under this exemption, drivers are not required to carry or complete a National Work Diary, provided they are working under Standard Hours and meet the NHVR’s exemption conditions.

While a work diary may not be necessary, operators must still maintain accurate records of work and rest hours to ensure compliance with fatigue laws. This exemption offers flexibility for local operations, such as those in Canberra for individuals with an HR licence or truck licence, but still holds drivers and businesses accountable under Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations.

Always check the specific requirements for your operation.

As a principal contractor, your responsibilities extend beyond the site gate. Heavy vehicle movements, deliveries, and material transport, are integral to your operations, along with the associated risks. Under the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) and Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, principal contractors must ensure that transport activities are meticulously planned, monitored, and controlled to prevent issues like fatigue, overloading, poor load restraint, or unsafe scheduling. 

Taking a proactive approach reduces the likelihood of accidents, regulatory breaches, and costly project delays. By embedding safe transport practices into site management, you protect your workforce, subcontractors, and the wider community while fulfilling your legal and contractual obligations.

Transport operators carry a critical duty to ensure their vehicles, drivers, and systems meet safety and compliance standards. From scheduling trips and maintaining vehicles to monitoring fatigue, mass, and load restraint, every decision directly impacts road safety and business liability. 

Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Chain of Responsibility (CoR), operators must have clear procedures in place to identify risks, train staff, and keep accurate records. This not only helps avoid penalties and downtime but also builds trust with clients and keeps drivers and the community safe.

Pre-start checks are a vital daily safety task for all heavy vehicle drivers. Before hitting the road, drivers must inspect their vehicle to ensure it is roadworthy and safe to operate. This includes checking brakes, lights, tyres, fluid levels, load security, and any potential defects. Completing and recording these pre-starts helps prevent breakdowns, reduce accidents, and meet Chain of Responsibility (CoR) and Work Health & Safety (WHS) obligations. It also ensures issues are reported early and addressed promptly, keeping both drivers and the public safe. For those obtaining their HR licence in Canberra or truck licence in Canberra, remember: a thorough pre-start isn’t just good practice, it’s a legal requirement.

Seatbelts remain one of the simplest and most effective safety measures in heavy vehicles, yet non-compliance is still a leading factor in serious injuries and fatalities. For drivers and operators ensuring seatbelts are worn at all times is not just common sense; it’s a legal requirement under road safety and workplace laws. 

Promoting consistent seatbelt use helps protect drivers, reduces liability, and strengthens a culture of safety across the transport industry.

Light and medium heavy vehicles are common in trades, construction, and local transport. However, these vehicles carry significant safety risks when overloaded, poorly restrained, or operated by untrained drivers. They frequently fall between 'car licence' and 'truck licence' categories, leading to confusion about licence requirements, mass limits, and compliance responsibilities, especially in regions like Canberra where obtaining an HR licence can be essential for safe operations. 

Managing these risks involves ensuring drivers are properly licensed, vehicles are maintained, and loads are secured effectively. By taking a proactive approach, can prevent accidents, avoid costly penalties, and ensure the safety of both workers and the community on our roads.

Steep descents present a high-risk environment for heavy vehicles, where brake failure, runaway incidents, and loss of control can have catastrophic consequences. Drivers should be trained to select the correct gear before starting the descent, use engine or exhaust braking effectively, and avoid over-reliance on service brakes. 

Operators and businesses also play a crucial role in ensuring vehicles are well-maintained, brakes are inspected regularly, and drivers are trained in route-specific hazards. Proactively managing these risks protects drivers, other road users, and the reputation of the business, while helping to meet compliance under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).