Laws in various areas specify the legal duties and responsibilities associated with the safe use of a vehicle for work. Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) responsibilities are held by multiple parties, including employers, employees, and individuals controlling workplaces. A workplace encompasses a vehicle used for work-related reasons.
A person running a business or project is obligated to ensure that the WHS of their employees and any other individuals is not impacted by the business or project’s activities. The obligation is fulfilled if all of the employer’s employees and any other individuals are not subjected to health and safety risks resulting from the conduct of the business or project.
Fulfilling this responsibility involves, but is not restricted to:
• Furnishing and upholding a work environment that is safe and promotes good health
• Guaranteeing the presence of secure work systems
• Supplying information to ensure health and safety. When applied to the taxi industry, the operator’s responsibilities may encompass providing drivers with information regarding:
• The proper and safe use of vehicles
• Instruction on the safety features of vehicles and how to utilize them
• Understanding the causes and consequences of fatigue
• Safely maintaining the vehicle
• Complying with road safety laws and regulations
Taxi drivers and operators must comply with WHS legislation as self-employed individuals
Self-employed individuals are responsible for ensuring their own workplace health and safety while conducting their business or undertaking. Self-employed individuals are responsible for ensuring that other individuals are not exposed to health and safety risks resulting from the conduct of their business or undertaking. Individuals conducting a business or undertaking must ensure the health and safety of all individuals performing work activities for the purposes of the business or undertaking.
Applied to the taxi industry, a driver’s duties would include:
Having a valid and up-to-date driver’s license is a requirement for taxi drivers.
– Taxi drivers must adhere to all traffic regulations, such as speed limits and alcohol consumption.
– It is essential for taxi drivers to avoid driving while impaired by fatigue or medication.
– Taxi drivers are obligated to report any incidents as mandated by law or the operator’s program.
– Conducting regular vehicle inspections as mandated by the driver is a crucial responsibility for taxi drivers.
Taxi operators and drivers both have responsibilities to each other and to others, such as passengers, who could be impacted by their work. This encompasses other drivers on the road, passengers, and individuals at the places where the driver stops to perform their duties.
LIST OF RESPONSIBILITY
Legislation in NSW, where White Cab Service operates, often requires adherence to the concept of a list of responsibility.
The Booking Network and the Taxi Operator have extensive responsibilities to guarantee the safety of passengers and the public who use their affiliated or operated taxis. They share the responsibility of monitoring driver fatigue and ensuring that drivers are always physically fit to operate a commercial passenger vehicle.
Fatigue monitoring requires the Network and Operator, along with drivers, to collectively ensure that the taxi driver does not operate the vehicle while fatigued, thereby endangering anyone, including themselves. Each state’s legislation outlines the specific legal responsibilities of all participants in the personalized transport supply chain, emphasizing the importance of enhancing safety measures.
LIST OF RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDES
• White cab service network
• Operators Obligation
• Drivers Obligation
REQUIREMENTS OF White Cab Service
The white cab service’s responsibilities include:
• Overseeing driver compliance with driver fatigue management requirements.
• Ensuring that drivers possess and uphold Driver Authorisation
• Providing drivers with training according to government-established standards.
• Assisting with approved security camera downloads for operators
• Monitoring vehicle licensing and compliance.
TAXI OPERATORS’ OBLIGATIONS
• Complying with regulations for managing driver fatigue
• Verifying that drivers possess and uphold Driver Authorisation
• Ensuring that drivers receive training according to government-established standards.
• Operating personalised transport services under a taxi, limousine, or booked hire service licence
• Maintaining vehicles
• Upholding safety standards.
DRIVERS’ OBLIGATIONS
Drivers are required to:
– Have a connection with an approved booking organization in order to offer personalized transportation services.
– Possess and uphold the suitable driver authorization.
– Undergo training according to government-established guidelines.
– The primary aspect of fatigue management is that drivers comply with fatigue management criteria.
White Cab Service Policy
White Cab Service has the ability to control access to dispatch facilities by establishing time limits. This allows them to determine the duration for which a driver can access bookings from their platform. Since it’s impossible for White Cab Service to assess the fatigue level of any driver at any given time, they aim to address this by enforcing mandatory working limits within a 24-hour period. The dispatch system of White Cab Service will conduct continuous checks on all drivers using the dispatch equipment. It is designed to prevent any driver from accessing the system for more than 14 hours within a 24-hour period. Once a driver reaches the 14-hour limit, the system will be inaccessible to them.
Drivers are expected to take enough breaks while waiting for jobs and to manage their own rest periods to prevent fatigue. Before logging into the dispatch equipment, drivers must agree to certain Terms and Conditions, which include requirements to ensure they are fit to drive safely. If a driver has not worked more than 14 hours in any 24-hour period, they will be allowed to log into the dispatch system after acknowledging and accepting the Terms and Conditions.
The one of the requirement focuses on conducting a self-assessment of their level of tiredness and is phrased in the following manner:
I am completely confident that I have assessed my fatigue levels, and I am fit to drive.
White cab Service will offer a set of tools for Fatigue Management to help operators and drivers effectively handle fatigue.
Operators
Operators have the responsibility to closely monitor driver safety and ensure that driver fatigue is managed effectively. There are various actions that an Operator can take to make sure that drivers understand their legal obligations. These actions include:
• For operators with multiple vehicles, they can conduct toolbox talks and team meetings to address safety topics relevant to the taxi industry and operations, focusing on identifying issues and implementing strategies to reduce risk.
• They can organize road rule knowledge tests and quizzes in a non-threatening manner to educate staff on road rules and updates, possibly emphasizing a specific road rule each week.
• Operators should monitor drivers’ rosters and sign-in times to ensure that they are taking regular breaks and having scheduled days off.
• Safety alerts can be used to communicate knowledge improvements or serve as reminders in response to recent incidents within the taxi fleet, for example, providing reminders about safety processes while reversing following a reported incident.
• Operators could arrange for driver assessments to be conducted by a qualified driving training provider to assess drivers’ in-vehicle driving skills and provide educational programs.
• They could schedule driving safety workshops and seminars to implement behaviour and attitude change programs.
• Fact tip sheets can be created to address issues and solutions, and these can be displayed on notice boards or kept in the cabs. Operators should also consider implementing a pre-shift Fatigue Template for drivers to complete and submit at the start of each shift. have the responsibility to closely monitor driver safety and ensure that driver fatigue is managed effectively. There are various actions that an Operator can take to make sure that drivers understand their legal obligations. These actions include:
• For operators with multiple vehicles, they can conduct toolbox talks and team meetings to address safety topics relevant to the taxi industry and operations, focusing on identifying issues and implementing strategies to reduce risk.
• They can organize road rule knowledge tests and quizzes in a non-threatening manner to educate staff on road rules and updates, possibly emphasizing a specific road rule each week.
• Operators should monitor drivers’ rosters and sign-in times to ensure that they are taking regular breaks and having scheduled days off.
• Safety alerts can be used to communicate knowledge improvements or serve as reminders in response to recent incidents within the taxi fleet, for example, providing reminders about safety processes while reversing following a reported incident.
• Operators could arrange for driver assessments to be conducted by a qualified driving training provider to assess drivers’ in-vehicle driving skills and provide educational programs.
• They could schedule driving safety workshops and seminars to implement behaviour and attitude change programs.
• Fact tip sheets can be created to address issues and solutions, and these can be displayed on notice boards or kept in the cabs. Operators should also consider implementing a pre-shift Fatigue Template for drivers to complete and submit at the start of each shift.
Drivers
As the sole individuals aware of their fatigue levels, drivers bear the ultimate responsibility for managing their fatigue. Taking regular breaks and stretching outside the vehicle can help drivers combat fatigue issues. It is crucial for drivers not to operate when tired, and if they feel fatigued, they must stop working and rest until they have restored their energy levels. This requirement is displayed to drivers on the IVT dispatch system’s Terms and Conditions screen, where they must acknowledge the statement:
“I have considered my fatigue levels, and I am 100% sure I am fit to drive.”
Drivers must recognize that they are answerable for their own actions, and while White Cab Service will strive to educate them on minimizing fatigue risk, the final responsibility rests with the drivers. To monitor fatigue, the following system rule has been activated: Drivers can only access the dispatch system for a maximum of 14 hours within any 24-hour period. Once the 14-hour limit for the 24-hour period is reached, the system will automatically lock them out and prevent them from logging in until they have taken a sufficient break.
Naturally, if a driver is tired, they should refrain from driving a cab.
The driver will be logged out by the system automatically if they have been logged on for 14 hours. If there is a substantiated complaint about a driver’s behaviour, corrective action will be taken according to standard disciplinary procedures. Any violations will be recorded internally in the ServiceDesk system and in the driver’s personal file.
DRIVER FATIGUE – RISK IDENTIFICATION
The Taxi industry faces a safety risk from driver fatigue or drowsy driving. There are various causes of fatigue, so it’s crucial for our drivers to recognize its signs. After being awake for an extended time, the production of adenosine signals the brain to sleep. Additionally, the 90-minute body clock can impact alertness during wakefulness. Engaging in strenuous activities like driving can lead to extreme tiredness if breaks of at least 30 minutes are not taken every 2 hours of driving. Driver fatigue refers to feeling sleepy or tired and is not limited to long trips, as even short trips can lead to fatigue. Fatigue has both physical and mental effects, significantly affecting driving judgment. Lapses in concentration caused by driver fatigue can have fatal consequences (TMR, 2017). A major issue with fatigue is that it develops slowly, and drivers may not realize they’re too tired to drive safely (TMR, 2017). There are warning signs that a driver may be fatigued and unfit to drive safely. Moreover, individuals often cannot accurately assess their level of fatigue. Therefore, the booking entity and/or operator should identify signs of fatigue and prohibit drivers from driving when their ability is impaired by fatigue. Considering the risks associated with driver fatigue, it’s evident that risk management processes are necessary.
Given the dangers of driver fatigue, it is evident that implementing risk management procedures is essential.
ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION LIKELIHOOD:
Fatigue poses a significant risk as it can impact individuals of all experience levels, including highly skilled drivers. Research indicates that fatigue is a contributing factor in approximately 30% of fatal accidents and serious injuries (CARRS-Q, 2015).
CONSEQUENCES:
The repercussions of a crash can range from injuries to permanent disability and even death. These outcomes result in substantial financial, operational, and societal costs.
RISK LEVEL:
Previous studies have demonstrated that while the taxi industry in Queensland has general fatigue management protocols, fatigue remains a significant and persistent risk within the industry. Drivers who operate taxis as a secondary source of income are identified as a high-risk group (Wishart et al., 2016). It is universally acknowledged that driving while fatigued poses a risk to the driver, passengers, and public safety as a whole.
RISK MITIGATION AND TREATMENT
Network/operators can reduce risk by:
• Assuming responsibility and being answerable for managing fatigue and refraining from driving while fatigued
• Giving importance to scheduling and rostering for driver(s)
• Implementing realistic rosters with sufficient rest breaks and some flexibility in managing fatigue
Drivers can reduce risk by:
• Avoiding driving when feeling tired and disclosing any issues impacting fatigue levels
• Making regular stops, at least once every two hours or as needed, for a short break, which can involve walking around, light exercise, or breathing exercises
• Avoiding reliance on quick fixes like double-dose coffee, energy drinks, or tablets
• Ensuring an adequate amount of sleep between shifts
• Using the car’s air conditioning to enhance comfort
• Limiting driving to a maximum of 14 hours per shift
• Consuming nutritious food and avoiding fatty or high-calorie food and drinks
• Undergoing regular health checks to confirm the absence of a sleep disorder
SIGNS OF FATIGUE
A driver is prohibited from operating a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle on a road while under the influence of fatigue. Even when adhering to work and rest limits, drivers may still be affected by fatigue. It is crucial to recognize the indications of fatigue and take a break. Typical signs of fatigue include:
• Reduced alertness
• Difficulty focusing
• Increased frequency of errors
• Feeling drowsy, experiencing brief periods of sleep, or falling asleep
• Struggling to keep one’s eyes open
• Not feeling rejuvenated after resting
• Excessive nodding or yawning
• Vision becoming blurry
• Changes in mood
• Alterations in personal health or fitness
Indications of tiredness while operating your taxi include:
• Close call or accident
• Experiencing yawning (Sign of sleepiness)
• Vision becoming blurry
• Inability to focus on the road
• Nodding off
• Inconsistent speed
• Drifting between lanes
• Difficulty making turns
• Mind wandering
• Seeing non-existent objects
• Delayed reactions, such as overshooting signs or lines
• Inaccurate gear shifts
CAUSES OF FATIGUE
Fatigue can stem from work-related, personal, or a combination of factors, and may be either short-term or cumulative. The causes of work-related fatigue can encompass prolonged or intense mental or physical exertion, sleep deprivation or disruption of the body’s internal clock, changes within the organization, travel, extreme hot or cold working conditions, work schedules, excessively long shifts, inadequate recovery time between shifts, physically demanding roles, and lengthy commutes. Certain workers face a heightened risk of fatigue due to their jobs typically involving some or all these factors, such as shift workers, night workers, fly-in, fly-out workers, drive-in, drive-out workers, seasonal workers, on-call and call-back workers, emergency service personnel, medical professionals, and other healthcare workers.
MANAGING FATIGUE IN THE WORKPLACE
All individuals in the workplace have a responsibility for work health and safety and can contribute to preventing fatigue from posing a risk to health and safety at work. Some factors to look out for that may lead to fatigue in the workplace are: – Talking to employees such as managers, supervisors, and health and safety representatives to understand the impact of workloads, work schedules, work-related travel, and work outside regular hours. – Assessing work practices, work systems, and employee records, such as sign in-out sheets. – Analyzing workplace incident data and human resource data. Some measures to control the risks of fatigue that could be taken into account include: – Planning work schedules – Managing shift work and rosters – Addressing job demands – Considering environmental conditions – Evaluating non-work related factors – Implementing a workplace fatigue policy.
Workers will receive information and training on factors leading to fatigue and the associated risks to enable them to perform their duties and implement control measures to reduce fatigue risk in the workplace. Training on fatigue and applicable workplace policies will be created and accessible to all individuals on the Responsibility List. After the implementation of control measures, ongoing monitoring and review will ensure their continued effectiveness.