Drivers denied amenities at feedlots: ALRTA
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) has requested a change to a Covid-19 guideline regarding feedlots.
ALRTA has written to the Australian Lot Feeders Association (ALFA) to request removal of the guideline ‘Do not permit drivers to use amenities or facilities’ from the document ‘Covid-19 – A Guide for Feedlots’.
ALRTA National President, Stephen Marley, said that truck drivers provide an essential service for feedlot operations and must not be denied access to basic amenities such as toilets.
“Feedlots are reliant on deliveries of livestock, grain, fodder and fuel,” he said.
“Practically every animal spending time in a feedlot will have been on a truck at least twice.”
Feedlots, according to Marley, are often located some distance from other amenity options – providing reasonable access for truck drivers is one of the most basic ways to manage fatigue risk.
ALRTA has asked ALFA to reconsider the obligation of feedlots to manage fatigue risk under heavy vehicle laws.
“We have recommended that the restriction on allowing drivers to access amenities be replaced with information about how to provide amenities safety,” said Marley.
“Information on how to do so has been published in the Australian Government protocols released in conjunction with the exemption for businesses operating truck driver facilities,” he said. “It is important for the rural supply chain to work together to deal with increased meat demand while continuing to operate in a manner that best protects the safety of all workers.”
