2011 Annual Report - National Transport Commission

Future outlook
Some of the key initiatives the NTC will undertake to continue to create a safer transport system over
the coming year:
Corporate Approach to Transport Safety
The NTC will release a discussion paper titled A Corporate Approach to Transport Safety in July 2011.
The discussion paper explores how the existing corporate commitment to workplace safety can contribute
to achieving Australia’s National Road Safety Strategy targets. It is designed to stimulate debate on the
best way forward for businesses and industry to identify, share and innovate best-practice approaches
to road safety.
Rail medical standards
The National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers provides practical guidance
for rail operators to meet their obligations for monitoring the health and fitness of rail safety workers.
The standard is reviewed periodically to ensure it reflects current medical knowledge.
The NTC sought feedback on the current standard in July 2009 and received additional feedback on
the standards as part of the NTC’s reform monitoring activities. The NTC has been working closely with
medical and other health professionals, unions, operators and peak industry bodies to review and update
the standard. Proposed revisions will be released for public comment in August 2011.
National Rail Safety Regulator
The proposed National Rail Safety Law and accompanying draft RIS is scheduled to be submitted to
the ministerial council for voting in November 2011. Additional proposed law and accompanying RIS,
addressing fatigue management and hours of work, is scheduled to be submitted to the ministers.
Electronic work diaries pilot
The NTC will continue working with the New South Wales Roads & Traffic Authority on the electronic
work diaries pilot, which is expected to run until 2013.
The results of the pilot will be used to finalise the necessary policy and operational provisions needed to
approve electronic work diaries as an alternative means of record-keeping for all road transport operators.
On-board mass-technology policy framework
The NTC will release a final position paper in August 2011. The paper provides a policy framework for
the use of on-board mass-monitoring technology in the heavy vehicle transport sector. On-board mass
technology measures the weight of a vehicle with equipment fixed to the vehicle and can help manage
the risk of heavy vehicle overloading.
Australian Road Rules and Australian Vehicle Standards Rules
In October 2011, the NTC will release a discussion paper seeking public consultation on the effectiveness
of these current rules. Submissions on the discussion paper will inform the NTC’s development of an
evaluation report for the Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure.
Compliance and Enforcement Strategy
The NTC will develop a Compliance and Enforcement Strategy based on a long-term vision of compliance
in the road transport industry. It will identify the steps necessary over the next 20 years to achieve this
vision. The strategy will be submitted to transport ministers for approval by April 2012.
Further details about the NTC’s strategic priorities and projects are contained in
the 2011/12–2013/14 NTC Strategic Plan and Work Programme available on the NTC
website (www.ntc.gov.au).
NTC Annual Report 2010–11 29