The effective management of fatigue may rely on more than just the driver. As such, these guidelines have been prepared to provide guidance to employers, employees and all parties in the supply chain to manage heavy vehicle driver fatigue – and in so doing, to achieve compliance with their specific and general duties in the new road transport heavy vehicle driver fatigue laws and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) laws.

Purpose of these Guidelines

Fatigue is a major cause of crashes involving heavy vehicle drivers, and the impact on families and the community is significant. The new road transport heavy vehicle driver fatigue laws introduce revised drive, work and rest hours and introduce a new ‘Chain of Responsibility’ in road transport law to require all parties in the supply chain and their agents take all reasonable steps to manage the fatigue of heavy vehicle drivers.

These changes will complement the general duty that already exists under OH&S law on all employers, employees and contractors to ensure safety in the workplace by managing fatigue. Merely adhering to prescribed drive, work and rest hours and completing work diaries/logbooks may not be enough to comply with the general duties under OH&S laws and the new laws. Good fatigue-management practices encompassing a fatigue-management system with a systematic risk-management approach is also essential.

The fatigue-management measures suggested in these guidelines provide a foundation for complying with the general duties, but the steps that need to be taken will depend on the nature of the specific business operations and the level of fatigue risk involved.

The measures may need to be modified in relation to specific circumstances, as these guidelines cannot anticipate all possible situations in which fatigue has to be managed. For example, what a short-haul operator may do to effectively address a certain type and level of risk may not be the most appropriate or effective course of action for a long-haul operator facing similar risks.

Content included in this publication include:

Introduction to the Guidelines
- Purpose
- Scope
- Status
- Legislation
Understanding Fatigue
- Effects of Fatigue
- Causes of Fatigue
- Ways to Reduce Fatigue
Managing Fatigue - Risk Management Approach
- Risk Identification
- Risk Assessment
- Risk Control
- Monitor and Review
Road Transport Risk Management System
Common Terms Used in the Code

Downloads

To view the full range of resources available for download from the NTC click HERE

Guidelines for Managing Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue - August 2007 (1.04 MB)

Disclaimer

This website does not constitute legal advice. Details are subject to amendment. Check your local legislation or contact your local road authority if you want more information.


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The fatigue-management measures suggested in these guidelines provide a foundation for complying with the general duties, but the steps that need to be taken will depend on the nature of the specific business operations and the level of fatigue risk involved.

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