Reports that petrol tankers may be breaching vehicle standards requirements following a tanker explosion in New South Wales is a wake-up call to all managers of delivery fleets regarding vehicle maintenance, according to a fleet management expert.
But the issue spreads beyond petrol tankers and interstate haulage, says Walter Scremin, general manager of outsourced transport supplier Ontime Group.
"This is a huge wake-up call to any business that runs its own fleet, whether they are running b-doubles, refrigerated transport or vans – you cannot cut corners. This affects everyone, including small-to-medium enterprises."
Mr Scremin said every fleet owner should be asking a simple question: are we complying with all vehicle standards requirements? "Many fleet owners will be alarmed at what they might find in their own organisation, and will need to take urgent action to reduce their exposure to risk."
The National Truck Accident Research Centre's 2013 major accident investigation report also found that fire and mechanical failure cause more serious crashes on Australian roads than driver fatigue.
Mr Scremin said maintenance schedules faced constant pressure in fleet management, with acute risks around hazardous materials and refrigerated transport.
"Business owners are often too busy taking care of business to keep up to date with maintenance and new compliance. They may not be aware of any breach until it is too late.
"Fleet managers and business owners need to be rigorous because if there is an accident, and the vehicle is found to have not been properly maintained, they could be liable.
"They might find insurance claims are rejected in part or in full because they cannot prove proper maintenance."
He said too many business owners and managers running fleets were unaware of the risks and responsibilities running transport. "I'm not sure enough realise that prosecutions are possible for breaches of vehicle standards under chain of responsibility legislation.
"If they are found breaking the law then the people responsible may be personally fined and in the worst cases imprisoned."
Business owners must also appreciate that they may be putting their staff at risk of injury. Mr Scremin pointed out that road freight transport is considered the fourth highest risk industry of WorkCover claims by WorkCover Authority of NSW (based on total claims, gross incurred cost, incidence rates and qualitative analysis).
Minister concerned
The NSW Minister for Roads and Ports, Duncan Gay, has asked the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to review the effectiveness of NHVAS, following the fatal accident involving a Cootes Transport tanker in Sydney.
Cootes Transport was accredited under the maintenance management module of NHVAS, but that has now been withdrawn.
Mr Gay told Fairfax Media he was particularly concerned that businesses in NHVAS could 'pick and choose' their auditors, a concern shared by ATA chief executive Stuart St Clair.
