Risk Assessment

Driving Heavy Vehicles (Fatigue)

Review Date: “one year from date of review & after each event”Assessor: “insert name”

RISK RATING TABLE
CONSEQUENCE / Negligible / Minor / Medium / Major / Extreme

PROBABILITY

/ 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Almost Certain / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
Likely / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9
Possible / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
Unlikely / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
Rare / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
Part of Plant/Process / Hazard
Identified / INITIALRISK / Controls in Place / Controls Required /

REVISED

RISK (EST)

/

ALARP

Y / N

C

/

P

/
Risk
/

C

/

P

/

Risk

1. Trip Schedules and driver Rosters / 1.1 Schedules require regular shifts of more than 14 in a 24 hour period. / 4 / 4 / 8 /
  • Fixed rosters.
  • For drivers on Standard hours a continuous rest break of at least 7 to 10 hours between shifts.
  • Known schedules and finish times of drivers are constantly reviewed by drivers’management.
  • Work diaries are checked by drivers’ responsible management.
  • Plan schedules to maximise the opportunity for rest at the times it is most needed and likely to be most effective as per regulations.
  • Build time into schedules for typical delays and disruptions.
  • Replace or supplement a driver who has already had some fatigue build up with a fully rested relief driver where possible.
  • Keep the roster as regular and predictable as possible.
  • Minimise early morning departures enabling driver to have good sleep before commencing trip.
  • Schedule more rest after longer shifts.
  • Consider the needs of drivers returning from a break by using staged start times or opportunity for rest early in the trip.
/
  • Are any additional tools available to assist with planning jouneys e.g. DAS, GPS.
  • Is any software used to verify driver compliance.

1.2 Schedules that do not allow the opportunity for 7 hours continuous rest in 24 hours. / 4 / 4 / 8
1.3 Schedules that do not build in time for commuting, delays, congested metropolitan areas, disruptions or sickness. / 3 / 4 / 7
1.4 Long working weeks that do not allow at least one break of at least 24 hours in 7 days or two 24 hour breaks in 14 days. / 4 / 4 / 8
1.5 Schedules that involve night driving and limited opportunity for night sleep. / 4 / 4 / 8
1.6 Unpredictable rosters that allow little notice for the driver to prepare for or adjust to the schedule. / 4 / 5 / 9
1.7 Rotating between day and night shifts in the same week. / 4 / 5 / 9
Part of Plant/Process / Hazard
Identified / INITIAL RISK / Controls in Place / Controls Required /

ALARP

Y / N

C

/

P

/
Risk
Trip Schedules and driver Rosters
continued /
  • Involve drivers in the roster design as they schedules may impact on individual drivers in different ways.

1.8 Lack of trip planning to account for routes on which there is limited provision for rest areas and amenities for drivers. / 4 / 4 / 8 /
  • Consideration when scheduling trips of the location of roadside bays and their suitability for driver eating, hygiene and sleeping opportunities.

1.9 Schedule that does not allow for additional time for a weight to drive ratio inconsistency. / 3 / 4 / 7 /
  • Consideration of the topography of the journey route and the vehicle capacity.

1.10 Journey extends beyond the capabilities of single driver within the National Road Rules. / 3 / 4 / 7 /
  • Accommodation should be provided for driver where required or change over driver at pre planned location.

2. Loading and unloading Schedules / 2.1Delays due to –
-Queuing, time slotting, loading and unloading.
- Practices that disrupt trip planning. / 4 / 4 / 8 /
  • Involve all parties in the risk assessments conducted.
  • Management are advised by driver of unacceptable delay, with management seeking to rectify delay.
  • Advise relevant parties where inflexible delivery times or unloading times create fatigue risks.
  • Advise relevant parties when poor management of truck queues creates fatigue risks.
  • Advise relevant parties when inadequate provision of equipment and/or resources to unload trucks leads to delays and creates fatigue risks.
  • Provide relevant parties with operational reviews that identify how their practices create fatigue risks and propose improved practices and systems.
  • Consignors/consignees will advise drivers of any delays that will exceed 30 minutes to enable them to manage their fatigue.
/
  • Regular documented review meetings with consignors/consignees to discuss issues.

3. Training, Information and Instruction / 3.1 Drivers and Staff that allocate more than 5 loads per day and have not been trained in fatigue management. / 4 / 4 / 8 / Training and information on fatigue management include:
  • Risk factors for fatigue – both those in the workplace and those outside the workplace that influence fatigue at work.
  • The body clock.
  • Symptoms of fatigue.
  • Assessing the risk associated with Fatigue.
  • Effective fatigue countermeasures (e.g. scheduling).
  • Procedures for managing fatigue (e.g. incident reporting).
  • Drugs and Alcohol.
  • Diet, fitness and health links to fatigue.
  • The law and responsibilities for managing fatigue.
/
  • Training records for staff
  • Training records for all staff who are qualified to operate to BFM or AFM accredited hours.

Part of Plant / Process / Hazard
Identified / INITIAL RISK / Controls in Place / Controls Required /

ALARP

Y / N

C

/

P

/

Risk

4. Design / Purchase of Vehicles / 4.1 Vehicles not fitted with suitable ventilation and sleeping cabs. / 3 / 3 / 6 / Make sure vehicles are suitable for the task and maintain them in good order by –
  • Carriers ensure all vehicles used for sleep has a sleeper berth that meets or exceeds ADR 42.
  • Carriers ensure that seating suspension is adjustable for individual driver comfort.
  • Carriers regularly maintain heating, cooling and ventilation systems.
  • Carriers identify and repair items that contribute to excessive noise and vibration in the vehicle.
/
  • Defect reporting system in place.

4.2 Vehicles not fitted with suitable communication device. / 2 / 3 / 5 / Carriers make sure vehicles are suitable for the task by:
  • Checking every vehicle is fitted with adequate communication systems (UHF/ Mobile Phone).
  • Regularly check equipment.
  • Distress switch.
  • GPS tracking unit.
/
  • Defect reporting system in place.

5. Maintenance and Inspection / 5.1 Vehicles not Maintained to minimise noise and vibration.
Reactive maintenance. / 3 / 3 / 6 /
  • Preventative maintenance.
  • Regular service schedules as prescribed by the manufacturer or by in cab notification or recall.
  • Provision of on road fault reporting system by carrier.
  • Carriers’ daily or pre trip inspection checklist to ensure all equipment is checked.
  • Carriers’ induction, training records and safety system.
  • Support provided for on road defects away from base.

5.2 Breakdowns, equipment failure. / 3 / 3 / 6
5.3 Vehicle poorly inspected –
- None or lack of pre-use safety checks. / 3 / 3 / 6
5.4 None or lack of reporting defects. / 3 / 3 / 6
6. Fitness for Work / 6.1Drivers not fit for duty:
-Lack of sleep
-Alcohol/drugs
-Working two jobs / 4 / 4 / 8 / Carriers’ procedures should cover the following -.
  • An assessment of the driver’s recent work and rest pattern.
  • Driver medical conditions or use of medication that may affect the driving task.
  • Drug and Alcohol policy.
  • The obligation of drivers to report conditions likely to impact on fatigue.
  • The obligation of drivers to use rest periods for recovery.
  • Situations where a driver is unfit for either before commencing work or during the shift.
/
  • Fitness for duty statements.
  • Evidence of random D&A testing.

Part of Plant / Process / Hazard
Identified / INITIAL RISK / Controls in Place / Controls Required /

REVISED

RISK (EST)

/

ALARP

Y / N

C

/

P

/

Risk

/

C

/

P

/

Risk

6.2 Drivers unhealthy to perform driving duties. / 4 / 4 / 8 / Carriers’ procedures cover –
  • Pre-employment medical, checks and screening.
  • Carriers’ enquire about the fitness for work of early starters.
  • Provision of lifestyle, fitness and health information.
  • Where and when required, the certification of drivers as being fit to drive a heavy vehicle by a medical practitioner.
  • Onesteel personnel raise any concerns about the drivers’ fitness for duty through their management and Carriers management.
/
  • Fitness for duty statements.
  • Evidence of random D&A testing.

7. Amenities / 7.1 Lack of and/or unsuitable amenities
- Showers, coffee, tea etc / 3 / 3 / 6 / Amenities may vary according to the nature of the operations and should include –
  • Clean toilets/showers at a depot.
  • Access to basic sleeping facilities at a depot.
  • Roadside accommodation.
  • Access to landline/communications.
  • Carriers take into consideration when scheduling trips, to the location of roadside bays and there suitability for driver eating, hygiene and sleeping opportunities.
/
  • Site driver fatigue management plan.
  • List of local facilities.

8. Policy monitoring and enforcement / 8.1 Lack of monitoring and enforcement of policy and procedures / 4 / 4 / 8 /
  • Carriers develop and implement a regime of internal safety checks and audits of driver compliance to fatigue procedures and policy.
  • Consignor/consignee verify conformance as part of scheduled carrier audit programme.
/
  • Are vehicles tracked by GPS?
  • Is it used to monitor vehicles for compliance to fatigue limits?
  • BFM or AFM fatigue management accreditation is held?.
  • External and internal audit reports are conducted?

9. External & Journey specific issues / 9.1 Weather and road conditions – heat, cold, snow, road works that increase mental fatigue in driving.
Pre tender safety checks
Customer site safety checks/ risk assessments
Route Checks / 4 / 4 / 8 /
  • Consider all conditions when conducting route / client / customer site risk assessments.
  • Taking into consideration the conditions may be different at the delivery site to the despatch site.
  • Carriers remind drivers of the need for extra care during adverse weather conditions.

9.2 Truck stops not available, trucks congregate at dedicated sites leading to higher risk of collisions, theft, violence, and driving longer hours to reach them. / 3 / 4 / 7 /
  • Carriers to educate drivers on the carriers and consignors/consignees requirements and procedures.
  • Carriers to verify by checking drivers’ paperwork and safe journey plans.
  • OnesteelConsignor/consignee verifies during carrier compliance audits.
/
  • Are any checks carried out on completed journey plans?

Part of Plant / Process / Hazard
Identified / INITIAL RISK / Controls in Place / Controls Required /

REVISED

RISK (EST)

/

ALARP

Y / N

C

/

P

/

Risk

/

C

/

P

/

Risk

9. External & Journey specific issues continued / 9.3 There is no alternate route available for the journey. / 3 / 4 / 7 /
  • Driver to get instruction from carrier management.

9.4 Accident hot spots on the route. / 4 / 4 / 8 /
  • Information on accident hot spots to be posted on driver notice boards or toolbox the issues.

9.5 Communication black spot on the route. / 3 / 4 / 7 /
  • Advise drivers on a daily basis when known.

10. Internal / 10.1 No defined policy and procedure s for fatigue. / 4 / 4 / 8 /
  • The carrier through consultation with drivers, develop and implement a fatigue policy and associated procedures.
  • The carrier verifies compliance with their own standards / requirements.
  • Consignor/consignee verifies compliance through carrier audit programme

11. Driver / 11.1 No breaks taken by driver / 4 / 4 / 8 /
  • Be prepared to take breaks when most needed.
  • If driving in extremes of temperature take short breaks where most relief from temperature is available.
  • Use some of your short breaks to stretch and walk.
  • Try and maintain some simple exercise routines between shifts.
  • Naps should be taken where possible. It may be better to have a nap earlier in the evening. Naps taken between midnight and 6am can make it harder to get going again.
  • Use accommodation away from the road if possible.
  • Sleep when feeling tired.
  • Where possible sleep during the midnight to dawn period when sleep comes most easily and is most beneficial.
  • Turn off mobile phones and pagers.
  • If sleeping in the vehicle –
  • If possible find a quiet truck bay.
  • Make sure the cabin temperature is comfortable.
  • Make sure the cab is as dark as possible.
  • Use ear plugs and eye shades if necessary.
  • Use checks of the vehicle as a way of getting your body moving during a trip.
  • Keep the cab well ventilated as smoke and stale air can contribute to drowsiness.
  • Keep the cab at a comfortable temperature but not too warm as an overheated cab can contribute to drowsiness.
  • Keep mentally alert by listening to radio or music or by playing mental games such as calculating distances.
  • Drink water as frequently as possible.
  • Coffee can have short term benefit but excessive regular use reduces any benefit.
  • Try and maintain a regular eating pattern.
/
  • Are vehicles tracked by GPS.
  • Fatigue training records available.
  • Are drivers fatigue records kept as required by fatigue accreditation.
  • Is any siftwrae used to monitor the drivers for fatigue breaches?

Page 1 of 607/10/2018