Staying Compliant and Safe: Managing Fatigue Risk for Drivers

When drivers get tired out on the road, their health and safety – and that of others – are jeopardised. How can you protect against the effects of fatigue with your fleet management processes and solutions?

The Symptoms of Fatigue for Drivers

Effective fleet management means remaining aware of health and safety concerns at all times, including understanding the symptoms of fatigue. Symptoms include:

• General feelings of tiredness.
• Physical and mental exhaustion (similar to what we consider as 'burnout').
• Poor judgement and difficulty in gauging physical parameters of speed and distance
• Increased reliance on automatic responses, such as instinct, rather than considering the situation fully.
• Reduced response times.
• Increased instances of mistakes – fundamental mistakes that drivers would not usually be expected to make
• Instances of other health and well-being issues, such as substance dependency and even diabetes.

All of this can put the health and safety of drivers at significant risk. The possibility of accidents increases, which can also endanger the lives of other road users. There are also operational costs – those associated with damages or missed shipments, for example – to bear in mind.

Regulatory Advice from NHVR

The Australian government's National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) provides guidelines to organisations operating fleet vehicles in this class.

To remain compliant, businesses must actively identify any fatigue hazards that may be caused by their transport activities and any risks that may result. In addition, organisations are expected to implement measures to eliminate or minimise these risks, reviewing these measures periodically or following an incident.

The NHVR recommends adopting a technological approach, such as deploying a Safety Management System (SMS) that can remove much of the human error associated with managing fatigue and keeping employees within safe operational parameters.

Securing Safety with Alloc8

While Alloc8 is not a dedicated SMS and should not be used as a replacement for such systems, it can function as a valuable asset in the fight against driver fatigue. Adopting a digital solution and harnessing automation are key workplace management trends and can be used to mitigate the risks of non-compliance.

• Alloc8's scheduling software has automated features that can include and exclude personnel from projects based on their suitability – for instance, based on how many hours the driver has logged in the past few days.
• The platform integrates with handheld devices. Drivers themselves gain access to notifications and alerts while they are out on the road.
• Reviews and reassessments are both critical to the NHVR's recommendations, and Alloc8's reporting tools provide the capability businesses need to appraise the ongoing viability of their health and safety policies.

Book a demo of Alloc8 and discover how these features support your fleet and workforce management protocols.

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