The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is launching Operation Quay this month to ensure heavy vehicles travelling in and around port facilities are safe and compliant.
This operation will run over four weeks as NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers (SCOs) work alongside police, conducting roadside inspections to boost safety and check compliance with load restraint, vehicle roadworthiness and fatigue laws.
According to NHVR COO, Paul Salvati, it is crucial that every shipping container being moved around port facilities is properly restrained, secured using compliant equipment and checked before every journey.
“Heavy vehicles transporting freight in shipping containers are more likely to be involved in safety incidents in comparison to vehicles carrying general freight, with unique challenges associated with containerised cargo such as load instability and the potential for rollover,” he said.
“Tragically there have been 60 lives lost in crashes involving a heavy vehicle this year, and the last thing we want to see is further road trauma occur on Australian roads.”
NHVR SCOs will work in ports throughout the country to prevent these occurrences.
These locations include Port Botany in New South Wales, the Port of Brisbane in Queensland, the Port of Melbourne in Victoria, the Port of Adelaide in South Australia and the Port of Bell Bay in Tasmania.
Salvati also said that with the rising movement of goods through ports, heavy vehicle traffic in and around freight terminals is only increasing.
“Ports are among the busiest transport environments across the country, so it’s imperative that heavy vehicles are operating with heightened caution and are adhering to all safety requirements,” he said.
“Even travelling at low speed around a corner can cause an unsecured cargo to move dangerously.
“Incorrectly positioned loads can impact a heavy vehicle’s stability, steering and brake performance – and if a driver is unable to brake or steer effectively, lives are at risk.
“Furthermore, if the cargo inside the shipping containers is incorrectly packed, poorly restrained or not balanced across the container, the vehicle can become unstable, and the risk of a rollover increases.”
Salvati added that it is essential for drivers to comply with fatigue requirements and to be well rested.
“While we understand drivers often face time pressures and demanding schedules, safety should always be the top priority – no load, no matter how important, is worth the risk,” he explained.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) Road Policing and Regional Support Command Inspector, Gareth Bosley, said officers will be conducting a range of compliance checks during Operation Quay to help keep all road users safe.
“Queensland Police are committed to ensuring heavy vehicles operating in and around the Port of Brisbane meet all safety obligations,” he said.
“During Operation Quay, our officers will be checking for fatigue compliance, mechanical condition, and the secure restraint of loads, as well as targeting any dangerous behaviour on our roads, including drug or drink driving.”
According to Bosley, the freight environment around the Port of Brisbane also presents unique risks.
This makes proactive enforcement and engagement critical.
“Ports are high-pressure environments with constant freight movement, and that comes with increased risk,” Bosley said.
“By working alongside the NHVR during Operation Quay, Queensland Police are making sure heavy vehicle operators, owners and everyone in the supply chain are putting safety first.”
In other news, Linfox has completed what it claims is one of the biggest moves in Australia’s elephant history.
