The official launch of the Decade of Action for Road Safety was held on 11 May 2011 with events across the world. 

The United Nations Decade for Action campaign aims to stop deaths and injuries on roads worldwide, particularly in developing countries.

 

This campaign also aims to get people thinking about what they can to contribute to road safety at home. According to United Nations research, the road toll could reach 1.9 million by 2020. Statistics also show that road accidents are the leading killer of young people (15 to 29 years).

 

Australia is a world leader in road safety initiatives and although our road toll has declined, more work needs to be done to further reduce fatalities and injuries. 

 

Click here for more information 

On the 16th and 17th of May the Union conducted an OHS update course in Shepparton at the Trades and Labour Council office. This is the first time that the Union has held such a course in country Victoria.   The course was well received by the participants, who passed on their support for the course and venue.  

The Union is planning to hold additional OHS courses in country Victoria, with the next course scheduled for Traralgon in September.

 

Union members who have enquiries about attending the Union’s Worksafe approved OHS course should contact their Organiser or call Daniela Fragale from the Union office on 1300 727 614.

 

 

Pictured: Trevor Davey (OHS Rep at McColls Tongala), Paul Tilly (Trainer), Greg Laurie (OHS Rep at Fonterra Rochester) and Daryl Coghill (Area Organiser)
 

The Australian Transport Council (ATC) has confirmed that there will be changes to the approach to counting time when dealing with heavy vehicle fatigue. 

The Chief Executive of the National Transport Commission Mr Dimopoulos stated that changes will come into effect once relevant state and territory governments pass the revised legislation. 

 

Counting time provision that will be adopted in the legislation:

 

When counting time in a period, the time must not be counted from within rest time, but instead must be counted forward:

 

(a) if one or more major rest breaks** are relevant to the period, from the end of a relevant major rest break, or

 

(b) in any other case, from the end of a relevant period of rest time.

 

**Major rest break = 5 hours or greater