View the feedback we have received on the Improving health screening for heavy vehicle drivers paper.

• q1

  We operate cars and small buses under the Department of Education Assisted School Travel Program. Each service operates for between 30 minutes and 1 1/2 hours, mornings and afternoons, 201 days per year. We employ 20 drivers, all are semi retired. They are paid a minimum of a 2 hour shift. The average age of our drivers is 68. All drivers have either a Driver Authority or a T Authorisation. Industry portals are checked weekly for health status.

• q10

  If the need for medicals is mismanaged, aging drivers will retire. There is a currently a shortage of drivers.

• q11

  Costs are a huge barrier to recruitment. We insist on all drivers having these authorities simply for the ability to look into portals. We rely on this ability as well as our communication systems. We need drivers to be proactive with regard to their own health. I'm afraid if the costs increase for drivers to obtain medicals, we will lose drivers. Commercial Medicals should be Medicare item, and not an out of pocket expense.

• q12

  No

• q2

  Some of our drivers have medical conditions which are managed by their GP or Specialist. All drivers are aware of the need to be alert and safe on the road and have been given and use the I'm Safe Fitness to Drive Check. I am saying in my submission, that is can't be a one glove fits all approach. Risks in this part of the short distance transport industry are are much different to long distance operations.

• q3

  Health professionals use the AFTD guidelines to evaluate the patient's medical history, conduct physical and cognitive assessments, and consider the potential impact of their condition on driving. The assessment results, along with the AFTD standards, are then considered by driver licensing authorities to make decisions about whether to issue or renew a driver's license. We check licensing weekly through the TfNSW portal to check if drivers are fit. Driver Fitness needs to be determined by Dr's who treat individuals.

• q4

  Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and sleep disorders are much more prevalent in an aging population. Properly managed, these disorders can be low risk to driving. Short distance school bus drivers are typically aging individuals. When these disorders are managed, these individuals perform their roles as competently as a driver without diagnosis.

• q5

  Driver monitoring plays a large part of our business operations. Drivers understand the need to report if they are feeling unwell and a relief driver is appointed for the shift or shifts if necessary. All drivers are required to have either a Driver Authority (which has an annual medical over 60 years of age) or a T Authorisation which also requires a medical. If a driver looses either of these Authorisations due to a medical condition, then we do not employ them or continue to employ them as drivers.

• q6

  We send all drivers a People at Work Survey which is a paper based survey recommended by SafeWork NSW in the Code of Practice for Managing Psychosocial Hazards in the workplace to identify any hazards and/or issues staff may be having in our workplace. The survey is anonymous, but gives management a view into drivers needs and concerns. Training is then designed around any issues raised. Drivers know we have an open door policy should they wish to discuss any needs or issues with us. We see all drivers at least weekly.

• q7

  This initiative should be supported.

• q8

  It could form part of the AFTD guidelines for commercial vehicle drivers.

• q9

  Cost barriers are certainly an issue for Drivers having multiple specialist medical assessments. This is particularly relevant to those drivers on minimal hours. Some drivers in my organisation work less than 10 hours per week due to Centrelink requirements. There is also a significant delay for Drivers being able to get into Specialist appointments in rural and regional areas particularly. Drivers sometimes need to book many months ahead for their annual medical.