Safety Management Systems

27/01/2026

🚛 SAVE THE DATE | LRTAV 40-Year Anniversary Conference 🎉

In 2026, the Livestock & Rural Transporters Association of Victoria proudly celebrates 40 years of representing rural and livestock carriers across the state.

Join us at the iconic Museum of Vehicle Evolution - MOVE on 🌟7–8 August 2026🌟
for a special anniversary conference bringing together rural carriers, industry leaders and partners from across Victoria’s agricultural supply chain.

This milestone event will recognise where we’ve come from, showcase where the industry is heading, and focus on the future of rural and livestock transport.

👉 All rural carriers servicing the Victorian agricultural supply chain are welcome.

Save the date – more details coming soon.

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association Agriculture Victoria KENWORTH Australia CMV Truck & Bus Hartwigs Cannon Trailers Byrne Trailers AIR CTI Airtec Smartobm Pty Ltd Shane Sali - Mayor of Greater Shepparton Victorian Farmers Federation Saleyards Australia Riordan Fuels Johnson's Trucks The Midfield Group AuctionsPlus All American Custom Chrome Royans Transport Accident Repairs Truckin' Life Mortlake RoadhouseBig Rigs of Oz Commercial Road Transport News Truckspotting Ararat Highway Photography Bundy Photography AgriNous Graham Thomson Motors

29/09/2025

Looking forward to speaking at this event, if you’re interested, it’s a free event with lunch included, I’ll be talking about how to make your ramp and forcing pen safe.

🕘 Last chance to register for our Farm Safe & Strong event this Friday in Hamilton, Vic!

We’re bringing together some of the best in the field to share practical insights and hands-on demonstrations for safer livestock handling. Hear from:

🩺 Dr Kathryn Robertson (Livestock Vet Services) – A highly respected Western District veterinarian, Kathryn balances her work as a large animal vet with running the family farm of sheep, cattle, and crops. She is passionate about low-stress, safe livestock handling to ensure both animal welfare and worker safety and educates farmers and farm workers on safe techniques for administering animal health treatments. At Farm Safe & Strong, she will showcase cattle crush safety – helping protect vets, farm workers, and producers in the yards.

🚛 Mick Debenham (Safety Management Systems) – With over 30 years’ experience in the transport industry, including 25 years as a transport business owner, Mick brings extensive knowledge of compliance and safety in livestock transport. He will be sharing practical tips for safer loading and unloading.

💉Kelly Barnes (National Centre for Farmer Health) – presenting on needlestick injuries, treatment and prevention

🐂 Agriculture Victoria specialists – demonstrating smarter cattle handling and yard work

⛑ WorkSafe Victoria experts – providing livestock handling and safety insights.

Plus, get a first look at the brand-new cattle yards at RIST - Your Local Agricultural College , purpose-built for safer, smarter livestock handling.

Hands-on, practical, and built for farmers! Don’t miss it – register now: https://farmerhealth.org.au/event/farm-safe-and-strong-practical-tips-for-improving-safety-when-working-with-cattle

📍Hamilton, Victoria
🗓 Friday 3 October | 9am–1:30pm (lunch provided)

13/09/2025

In recent years, the NHVR has clearly increased its focus on Safety Management Systems (SMS) as a key tool for demonstrating compliance with duties under the HVNL.

12/08/2025

Well good listeners it is that time of the week again!!

Join Glyn and Craig for an episode of Risky Business talking all things compliance in the transport industry. They will be joined by Adam Gibson Transport Research Manager from NTI and Anthony Boyle the Executive Director of the ALRTA for an informative jam packed show.

You don't want to miss this one so be sure to tune in live from 7pm AEST or 5pm in the west. Download the app Big Rig Radio by Truckin' Life or head to www.bigrigradio.com.au to tune in.

Risky Business is proudly brought to you by Hubfleet – for all your EWD needs head to www.hubfleet.com.au.

Stay safe out there!

29/07/2025

We represent transport operators throughout Victoria servicing the livestock & rural supply chain.

25/06/2025

We’re inviting you to an industry critical safety conversation this Thursday that could
make all the difference in keeping your drivers, other road users, and equipment safe.

Join us for our national webinar:
Thursday 26 June
12:00–1:00pm AEST
🔗 Register here: https://monash.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w2O-soZETMmafNDJKjihQg?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_h2DcW0YuG-xMy8YepmHLncbX3Ytz6e6lrHKaVTZZJIIIiiE3TD5R66_psDzhjPbvWHtrv #/registration

15/06/2025

Compliance in 4 easy steps!
Yes it’s actually pretty simple when you understand it, but I’m sure you’ve tried to read all the information written by those who already understand it and assume that you already know it, and its just confused you more!
So below is my simplified explanation but you will still need to invest some resources into it, but if you understand what you are required to do better, then you should be able to make it help your business instead of hinder it. And don’t just follow the pre-prepared stuff that people sell you , have it customised to your business and remember that to do something however simple, is better than doing nothing, and then you can build on it!

10/06/2025

Some words of wisdom/concern, let’s hope somebody hears!

09/06/2025

A reminder for the livestock industry wanting to participate in the Victorian High Productivity Livestock Vehicle (HPLV) Scheme, you must meet the following requirements:

✅ A Class 3 permit is required, issued via NHVRGo.
✅ Vehicles must meet vehicle configuration, mass and dimension limits.
✅ Vehicles are fitted with a GPS device accredited under the Telematics Monitoring Application or Road Infrastructure Management.
✅ Operators are enrolled in the HPLV Accreditation Scheme through the Livestock and Rural Transporter’s Association of Victoria (LRTAV).

To access the LRTAV’s HPLV Accreditation Scheme visit 👉 https://bit.ly/456Y8Oj

07/06/2025

The Compliance Manager/Person.
This would be one of the hardest jobs in the transport industry, I know this from experience!
Some things you should know if you’ve never done this job,
1. Their number one job is to make sure you follow not just the company rules but also the Law, they’re legally required to do this!
2. They don’t make most of the rules but the law requires them to enforce them and it does NOT mean they agree with them!
3. They deserve to be treated with the same respect as anyone else in the workplace, generally if they are giving you a warning or non-conformance this is because YOU have not followed the rules!
4. If you think that they are wrong, do your research (you can find most things online) and show them some evidence, or if you think you know a better or safer way to do something talk to them about it, they are only human!
5. Just like truck drivers there will always be one who isn’t great to deal with but remember your an expert at dealing with idiots on a daily basis (car drivers), do the right thing and make sure you are not at fault and they shouldn’t need to talk to you!
6. If you are doing the wrong thing like having rest breaks when you shouldn’t be and they aren’t picking you up on it, then they aren’t doing their job properly either 🤔

29/05/2025

Save money!
Do you understand how to count time?
Do you know about the 17 hour rule?
Do you know that having a 7 hour rest doesn’t reset your diary?
Do you check your drivers work diary pages for the above?
Does your employer check your work diary pages?
If you answer no to any of these questions you are at risk of having a visit to a court and having to pay a fine equivalent to a week’s wages or more for multiple offences.
I’m getting extremely frustrated by the number of drivers who are asking for help after receiving a court notice simply because they don’t understand how to count time in their work diary. If you want to save money then get yourself educated by using the below link or better still start using an electronic work diary (EWD).

Edit: also everything you need to know can be found in the front of your paper work diary!

https://youtu.be/6CT-3MgGKI0

04/12/2024

If you need help understanding how to make sure your business is compliant with the code then contact us

YOU'RE IN THE CHAIN OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Effluent Code is an industry code of practice registered with the NHVR.

Both truckies and farmers have a responsibility to minimise livestock
effluent spillage in transit.

Tell your customers about their obligations under the code. Check the
livestock preparation guidelines on the Meat and Livestock Australia Transport Hub:
https://bit.ly/3YNGVEv

Find out more about the Effluent Code on the ALRTA website:
https://bit.ly/3YJ0XjH