Once you have your manual, your system needs implementation, which involves:-
- Training of staff in new procedures (increased mass limits), loading of vehicle etc.
- All staff involved must understand the role they play in making the system work for your business.
- Vehicle specifications must be checked – manufacturers component specifications, registration etc. Eg the lowest GCM rating of the manufacturer or RGCM, will be used to determine the maximum carrying capacity of your vehicle.
- Registration needs to be changed with the registering agency, if manufacturers rating is high enough to cover the NHVAS Mass Limits and if registration papers do not show RGCM high enough to cover these limits.
- A vehicle register is to be compiled stating make of vehicle, type of vehicle, date of construction, registration number, chassis number (VIN), manufacturers ratings once into scheme, date of inclusion into scheme and column for date of deletion from scheme must be included.
- Your vehicle must be checked (weighed over registered weighbridge) using the load plan (Section 3 of policy and procedures manual) you have documented. These weights are to be retained to show that your load plan works and that each axle group is within the limits.
- Once all of these papers are complete, an external audit is required. The service can be performed by a RABQSA Certified Auditor (a listing of auditors is available on the RABQSA website or you can use Stuart Williams, Bruce Johnson or David Machin who are RABQSA Certified Auditors).
- External audits are required on entry to the scheme, six months after entry (to check for compliance with the scheme) and then at 2 year intervals from your first audit. External audits are required as part of NHVAS scheme.
- After successful completion of audit process, you will need to send a copy of the audit report, your application with vehicle list and payment to NHVR. A copy of NHVAS fees are available from S.W. Consulting or available on the NHVR web site.
- NHVR will process your application and return to you your NHVAS labels for each hauling unit (prime mover or rigid). These labels are numbered and are allocated to specific vehicles (check NHVAS label number and registration match). You will also receive an interception report book (also numbered for each vehicle). This book is to remain in the vehicle and to be presented to police officer or Department of Transport when pulled up on side of road.
- Every vehicle on vehicle register must have details recorded of load limits.
This is a summary of the requirements to get your Mass Management system up and running. Should you require any further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Other information that could be of use:-
- a list of road friendly suspensions can be found at www.infrastructure.gov.au (Enter “Road Friendly” into quick search at top of page and then open “certified road friendly suspensions”)
- austroads.com.au also could be of use – this site give links to all Traffic Authorities Australia wide
