Road Transport Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM)

New Australian laws regarding Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue commenced in September 2008. To date (July 2010) there are aproximately 18 AFM-accredited operators in Australia.

Integrated Safety Support can help your company to develop your Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) accreditation application. We can prepare it for submission to the applicable state road transport regulator, and the Fatigue Authorities Panel (if required). In February 2009 we were registered as the first approved Fatigue Experts.

What is the Fatigue Expert’s role?

Our role is a critical one in allowing you to progress your Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) application to the formal stage of review by the relevant regulator, or the Fatigue Authorities Panel (FAP). Unlike the entry audit carried out by the NHVAS auditor, the role of the Fatigue Expert also specifically includes a detailed assessment of whether you have a clear understanding of the likely fatigue risks in your operation, as well as the controls required to manage those risks under expected circumstances. This specialist process reflects the fact that a very high standard needs to be met (or exceeded) by all operators wanting to be granted the flexibilities of Advanced Fatigue Management, given the potentially higher fatigue risks of Advanced Fatigue Management operations.

How long will the process take?

We will work directly with you on a day-to-day basis so that the maximum available documentation and other system-related elements can be reviewed, updated and created as part of the Fatigue Expert assessment. The more support you are able to give us – in getting copies of requested documents, data or other evidence – the quicker we will be able to complete your review. The minimum time we expect the full review to take is three weeks and the maximum time is six weeks, following our receipt of a signed ‘letter of engagement’.

What does the Fatigue Expert review assessment process involve?

There are three phases of the Fatigue Expert review assessment. These involve a comparison of your systems, proposal and all relevant documentation (including policy, procedures, incident reporting tools, training plans, etc.) against three sets of requirements:

1. The AFM Standard Criteria Elements: this aspect of the review has some similarities with the desktop audit complete by the NHVAS auditor but more detail is required for parts of the Fatigue Expert assessment (although some of the criteria will not be addressed again by the Fatigue Expert). Specific attention is given to how fatigue-related risks are identified, assessed, controlled and monitored, as well as how relevant data such as incident reports, fatigue training records, and hours of work are tracked, stored and made ready for audit. 
2. The Existing and Additional Requirements: this aspect of the review allows for a formal acknowledgement of relevant obligations already in place – including Chain of Responsibility – and also considers requirements that exist over-and-above the 10 Standard Criteria.
3. The Final Key questions: This aspect of the review leads to the documentation of answers to 12 questions relating to essential cross-checks, the development of conclusions, and completion of the review.

When each of these phases is successfully completed you will be provided with a Summary Report to outline any required and suggested changes/improvements to your fatigue management systems and AFM application documents, and a Fatigue Expert Report that will accompany your AFM application to your applicable state regulator.

More Information

National Transport Commission

• HOME:                     http://www.ntc.gov.au/
• HV Driver Fatigue:   http://www.ntc.gov.au/viewpage.aspx?AreaId=35&DocumentId=1409
• AFM Explained:       http://www.ntc.gov.au/viewpage.aspx?documentid=1500
• AFM Standards:      http://ntc.gov.au/filemedia/Publications/AFMStandards_May2008.pdf
• BFM Standards:      http://ntc.gov.au/filemedia/Publications/BFMStandards_May2008.pdf

QUEENSLAND (Tel 07 3253 4037)
The Queensland Transport website includes various links to NTC information on AFM requirements and standards, as well as the Fatigue Authorities Panel, how to apply and information related to auditing. Queensland already has more than 10 AFM accredited operators.

VICTORIA (Tel: 1300 360 745 [General] or 03 9881 8772 [Accreditation])
VicRoads has information online relating to the AFM Standards, as well as some Fact Sheets on Fatigue Management.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA (Tel: 1300 784 344)
The Department for Transport Energy & Infrastructure (DTEI) has a series of Newsletters/Fact Sheets online, with subscription by email. An AFM checklist is also available, as well as information on the AFM audit matrix, and the NHVAS application forms. More information from dtei.driverfatigue@sagov.sa.gov.au.

NEW SOUTH WALES (Tel: 02 9218 3600)
The RTA NSW have an explanatory brochure, and AFM guide/checklist to assist transport operators to apply for AFM. This includes information on the application process & fees.

TASMANIA (Tel: 03 6233 5198)

NORTHERN TERRITORY (Tel: 08 8999 3147)
The Northern Territory has published a series of Information Bulletins to assist NT operators with understanding the new national laws. It is not expected that the NT will introduce new legislation before the end of 2010, however BFM and AFM options are available to NT operators.

For more information, visit: AFM Frequently Asked Questions AFM Client Testimonials Integrated Safety Support - YouTube

Recent News Articles: The AGE (5 March 2010) Click to download the pdf ATN Article: October 2009 (AFM) Australasian Transport News Materials Handling (12 March 2009) Australasian Bus and Coach (11 March 2009)

For further information on getting Integrated Safety Support to work with you as your Advanced Fatigue Management Fatigue Expert please contact Dr. Adam Fletcher or Dr. Stuart Baulk at AFM@integratedsafety.com.au