TruckSafe and truckCare join forces for a safer industry

The trucking industry’s own accreditation scheme, TruckSafe, and the Australian livestock transport industry’s quality assurance program, truckCare, have joined forces to provide a single streamlined safety program for the road transport industry.

Beginning in early January 2015, truckCare will become a voluntary module of TruckSafe, with operators now able to use both programs under a single administration and auditing system.

truckCare Chairman Kevin Fechner said the arrangement would usher in a new era for truckCare and its members.

“The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) developed truckCare to provide a first-class quality management system for businesses that transport livestock in Australia,” Fechner said.

“By incorporating truckCare as a voluntary module of TruckSafe, we will be reducing overlap and providing better value for trucking operators who put safety first in their business.

“ALRTA will retain strong involvement with the truckCare program, nominating two representatives to the TruckSafe board to provide continuing livestock transport input.

“We understand that some of our members who are not accredited in TruckSafe may have some issues with transitioning to the program. However, we feel that this will provide the best long-term outcomes for truckCare and our members.”

TruckSafe Chairman Stephen Marley said truckCare was an excellent fit as a new TruckSafe module.

“This consolidation is all about the industry coming together to improve our safety. TruckSafe and truckCare are both leading safety management schemes developed by industry, for industry.

“Members of TruckSafe and truckCare will now only have to have one audit, pay one set of fees and deal with one set of paperwork. It’s a great outcome.”

Ross Fraser OAM, the director of Fraser’s Livestock Transport, said the merger would make compliance much simpler for operators who were already part of both schemes.

“TruckSafe is a very good system, and it’s been a significant part of our business. We’ve been in TruckSafe for a long time,” Fraser said.

“It’s a fantastic management tool and provides credibility for accredited operators. If you aren’t in TruckSafe, you should seriously consider joining.

“It’s the same with truckCare - it was set up by the livestock transport industry, and it’s a good plan for anyone doing this kind of work.

“The merger is a great idea. It provides improved administrative support for truckCare and allows operators to use the same audit for both programs.”

Members of truckCare will be invited to continue their accreditation through the TruckSafe program in the coming months. Existing TruckSafe members will not be affected by the changes.