Fatigue Management: Concrete Agitator Drivers

Driver fatigue is a recognised safety hazard for the road transport industry.

For concrete agitator truck drivers, fatigue management is regulated and governed by different laws in different states.

• WA; Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and Code of Practice; Fatigue Management for Commercial Drivers (2019).
• NT; Fatigue Management for Transport Operations.
• All other States and Territories: National Heavy Vehicle Law Act 2012 and Fatigue Management Guidance.

For those states covered by the National Heavy Vehicle Law (QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS and SA) an exemption notice for concrete agitator drivers is in effect for 3 years from 1 February 2023.

This Notice allows Drivers to swap the minimum 15 continuous minutes of rest break in 5½ hours under Standard Hours or 6¼ hours under Basic Fatigue Management with 15 continuous minutes of Short Work Break. It does not exempt drivers from prosecution for driving while fatigued.

More information can be found on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulators website.

• Short Work Break for Agitators (Info Sheet);
• Exemption Notice.