Truck drivers should now have access to free online first aid training following a $4.4 million expansion of a popular program.
This follows the launch of the Truckie First Aid eLearning program which saw investment from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and its Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).
A report published in 2021 revealed 67.3 per cent of truck drivers will be first responders to a traffic accident at some time in their career.
The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) said more than 1,500 drivers have completed the course so far and additional funding means it will be available in Punjabi and Mandarin. Further languages are expected to be released before this year’s end.
Warren Clark, NatRoad CEO, said the importance of the program to truck drivers across Australia could not be understated.
“I’m pleased to announce the launch of this life-saving program in a range of different languages, to make it even easier for those with English as a second language to participate,” he said.
“By upskilling truckies across the country we are making sure drivers are more prepared than ever before to save lives on and off the road.
“For many of us, saving a life could be the most important thing we’ll ever do. So, if the situation arises, we want drivers to be prepared.”
Road accidents sent 39,505 people to hospital in 2021 with the estimated economic impact of crashes reaching more than $30 billion per annum according to National Road Safety Data Hub.
St John Ambulance Australia CEO Adrian Watts has acknowledged the importance and significance of the program.
“This will make it easier for drivers with English as their second language to complete the training and be confident in what they learn, while reducing barriers to taking the course in the first place,” he said.
“Empowering truckies with the knowledge and skills to respond to a first aid emergency just makes sense, and by extending the program into multiple languages will only encourage more to do the course, leading to more people being saved on the roads.
“The program combines best practice training principles, with knowledge and skills drawn from the DRSABCD First Aid action plan. The training is highly accessible through a free, online learning tool that is tailored to the audience.”
First aid for truck drivers is reported to be critical to enhance immediate response, improve safety awareness as well as support a diverse workforce.
The Truckie First Aid training can take up to 30-40 minutes and is available here.
In other news, Lindsay Australia has announced an acquisition.
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