NSW Minister for Roads Michael Daley has implemented his first round of fatigue management reforms following an industry-government meeting last
NSW Minister for Roads Michael Daley has implemented his first round of fatigue management reforms following an industry-government meeting last year.
Daley has passed an exemption notice for NSW operators under the Transitional Fatigue Management Scheme (TFMS).
As a result of the change—effective only in NSW—drivers who have completed Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) training can work for a TFMS-registered company even if the company is not accredited in BFM.
Under BFM, drivers must comply with a number of requirements including being medically certified, maintaining and carrying records and passing a competency assessment.
Under BFM, drivers can work up to 14 hours a day instead of 12 under standard hours.
He also plans on introducing exemptions before the end of March for specific industry sectors that cannot easily comply with the laws.
Daley has also committed to speaking to other state and territory road ministers to ask them to address inconsistencies in fatigue management laws, which include differences in driving hours across borders.
The exemption, which requires drivers to carry copies of their employer’s TFMS certificate and confirmation of a medical assessment, will expire on September 28.