The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has launched a month-long national safety operation to improve road safety and unsafe driving practices within the waste and construction industries.
‘Operation Sapphire’ will focus on key safety risks within the sectors including mechanical, mass, dimension, loading and permit non-compliance.
As part of the project, NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers (SCOs) will zero in on key issues detected in past local, state and national operations.
These include carrying out inspections at sites of interest such as quarries and waste disposal locations.
According to NHVR COO, Paul Salvati, heavy vehicles will be the focal point of compliance and enforcement efforts.
“The transport of waste and construction materials is integral to Australia’s infrastructure and economy; however, it can also be intrinsically hazardous and present challenging safety risks for the driver of the vehicle, and other road users,” he said.
“Through Operation Sapphire, we are aiming to proactively reduce road safety risks within the waste and construction industries before they turn into serious incidents and prevent the devastating impacts of road trauma on communities across Australia.”
In line with the NHVR’s data driven approach, SCOs will also be concentrated on operators identified as posing a higher safety risk.
Salvati claimed this will increase efficiency for compliant operators.
“Tragically, there has already been 51 lives lost in crashes involving heavy vehicles across Australia this year – this is deeply troubling,” he said.
“The NHVR will work closely with police agencies in Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania – who in addition to HVNL compliance, will also focus on driving under the influence and other safety risks within these industries.
“The safety of all drivers remains our number one priority, and with the road toll already far too high, Operation Sapphire is crucial to preventing further tragedy on our roads.”
In other news, GPT Group and QuadReal Property Group have announced a new Australian logistics joint venture.
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