NHVAS Fatigue Management Accreditation
Fatigue Management Accreditation is designed to ensure that heavy vehicle drivers and operators manage work and rest schedules to prevent fatigue-related incidents on the road. It sets out specific rules and guidelines under the the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) and is a national formal process responsible for recognising operators who have robust safety management systems in place. It is also increasingly being used to show compliance with general duty requirements under road transport law.
The framework details what operators need to do in order to qualify for accreditation and to stay qualified. It explains what drivers are required to do to be considered as proficient in the Fatigue Management options of Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) or Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM).
Fatigue Management Accreditation, provides flexibility in scheduling work and rest hours, allowing businesses to optimise work time and productivity without compromising driver safety and wellbeing. It helps reduce the risk of accidents caused by driver fatigue, improves overall safety on the road, and demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance.
What is a Fatigue Regulated Heavy Vehicle?
A fatigue regulated heavy vehicle is a type of heavy vehicle that falls under specific fatigue management rules in Australia, as outlined by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). These vehicles typically have a gross vehicle mass (GVM) over 12 tonnes or are part of a combination where the total GVM exceeds 12 tonnes. A fatigue regulated heavy commercial vehicle may also includes buses that are built to carry more than 12 adults, including the driver. Drivers of these vehicles are subject to fatigue management laws that regulate work and rest hours to prevent fatigue-related incidents on the road. This ensures that drivers operate safely and responsibly, with appropriate rest breaks to manage fatigue risks effectively.
What does Standard Hours refer to?
Standard Hours within Fatigue Management Accreditation refer to the baseline regulations set by the NHVR for managing driver fatigue. These rules outline the maximum hours a driver can work and the minimum stationary rest time required to ensure safety on the road.
Under Standard Hours, drivers are typically allowed to drive for up to 12 hours in a 24-hour period, with mandatory stationary rest time included. Specifically, drivers must take a 30-minute break after 5 hours of driving and a 10-hour rest break within a 24-hour period. Drivers also This standard is designed to provide a basic level of fatigue management to vehicle driver to help prevent accidents and ensure that drivers are not overworked. The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) details the minimum standards in complying the fatigue management.
Under Standard Hours within Fatigue Law, implementation of the 100 km radius for local work provision allows drivers to operate without the requirement to complete the National Driver Work Diary. Specifically, this provision applies to drivers who operate within a 100 km radius from their base.
When do you need a work diary?
A National Work Diary is a mandatory logbook used by fatigue regulated heavy vehicle drivers in Australia to record their driving hours, rest periods, and other relevant information to comply with fatigue management regulations. Electric Work Diaries are a digital version of the National Work Diary that allows drivers to record their work hours electronically. EWDs are designed to simplify compliance with fatigue regulations and improve accuracy in record-keeping.
It is required under the HVNL to ensure that drivers adhere to legal work and rest limits, thereby promoting road safety and preventing fatigue-related accidents. The diary provides a standardised format for documenting driving activities, which helps regulators and operators monitor and verify compliance with fatigue management standards.
By maintaining accurate records in the National Work Diary, drivers and businesses can demonstrate adherence to fatigue management requirements, support safety on the roads, and avoid potential penalties for non-compliance. Drivers of fatigue regulated heavy vehicles must carry and complete a work diary to record their work and rest times if they, operate under standard hours and work more than 100km from their base, operate under BFM or operate under AFM.
Basic Fatigue Management
Basic Fatigue Management or BFM is a level of fatigue management within the NHVAS Fatigue Management Accreditation framework that offers more flexibility than Standard Hours while still providing structured guidelines to ensure driver safety. Under BFM, the driver of a fatigue regulated heavy vehicle operating under BFM hours must carry a National Driver Work Diary and record the mandatory information. Regardless of the 100km radius even for local work.
BFM allows for extended driving hours compared to Standard Hours, but it requires businesses to demonstrate that they have processes and procedures in place to manage and monitor fatigue effectively. By adhering to BFM requirements, businesses can improve operational efficiency while still prioritising road safety and managing driver fatigue proactively.
To operate under BFM, a driver must complete a certified (TLIF0005) Fatigue Management Training Course and obtain a relevant certificate. A driver must also meet certain medical requirements certified by a medical practitioner according to Austroads’ Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines to ensure they are fit for duty and capable of managing fatigue effectively. For drivers aged 49 and under a medical is required every 3 years unless medically recommended more often and for those over the age of 50 a medical is required every 12 months.
Two-up drivers refers to a fatigue management arrangement where two drivers share the driving duties of a fatigue regulated heavy vehicle. This method allows one driver to rest while the other is driving. In terms of regulatory requirements, two-up driving can be managed under Standard hours and BFM and AFM schemes. However, even with two-up arrangements, operators driving commercial vehicles must still adhere to fatigue management rules, including maintaining proper records and ensuring that rest periods are observed.
Advanced Fatigue Management
AFM is another fatigue hour options under Fatigue Management Accreditation offering greater flexibility in scheduling compared to Standard Hours and BFM but requires a higher level of oversight and commitment to managing fatigue effectively. AFM enables operators to create schedules that better fit their work demands, provided they have a plan in place to manage driver fatigue effectively.
The NHVR assess an AFM application through the use of a performance-based approach where it is taken into consideration the operators proposed management practices, work and rest hours, controls and countermeasures, which are detailed in the operators safety case and operations manual. When assessing an AFM application, the NHVR must assess whether the operator’s fatigue management system adheres to a number of principles including Work-related rest breaks, Recovery breaks and Reset Breaks.
To obtain AFM accreditation, operators must demonstrate to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) that they can effectively identify, assess, and manage the fatigue risks associated with their operations.
What are the Fatigue Management standards?
To maintain Fatigue Management Accreditation under the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS), businesses using commercial vehicles must comply with the following seven standards:
Scheduling & rostering
Ensure work schedules and rest periods comply with legal fatigue management requirements.
Health and wellbeing for performed duty
Monitor drivers' fitness to work, considering factors like their health and safety, well-being, and readiness for duty.
Training and Education
Provide training and ensure all staff understand the risks and management of fatigue.
All previously recognised TLIF courses completed before 1 July 2018 remain acceptable.
After 1 July 2018 drivers who have not previously completed a recognised course must hold TLIF0005.
After 1 July 2018 schedulers who have not previously completed a recognised course must hold TLIF0006.
TLIF0005 & TLIF0006 Certificates issued after 1 July 2018 must be issued by an NHVR approved RTO
Responsibilities and management practices
Clearly define and allocate responsibilities related to fatigue management within the business unit.
Internal review
Conduct regular audits and reviews to assess the effectiveness of fatigue management processes.
Records and documentation
Keep accurate records of work hours, rest breaks, and related documentation for compliance.
Workplace Conditions
Operators must ensure that they are doing everything that is reasonably practical working environment is to reducing fatigue risks when operating a fatigue regulated heavy vehicle. Key elements include providing safe and comfortable rest facilities, minimising disruptions during rest periods, and promoting a healthy work-life balance. Proper lighting, ergonomic seating, and vehicle maintenance also play a role in ensuring drivers can perform their duties without excessive physical strain. By addressing workplace conditions, businesses help to reduce fatigue, improve driver well-being, and maintain compliance with fatigue management standards.
What documentation must you keep to ensure Fatigue Management compliance?
Fatigue Management Accreditation Drivers are required to have with them:
Current copy of the Operators Fatigue Management Accreditation Certificate
Driver Participation Certificate (DPC) when working under BFM hours
National Drivers Work Diary or EWD
Drivers licence
Daily fit for duty declaration document
How we can help with NHVAS Fatigue Management Accreditation?
Developing Fatigue Management Policies and Procedures: By offering these comprehensive services and tools, your company can help clients build a solid Fatigue Management System that not only meets NHVAS standards but also enhances the safety and well-being of their drivers. This approach also ensures they are prepared for both scheduled and unscheduled audits.