The desire to ensure that it is meeting all legal obligations and subsequently present itself as a company committed to safe and efficient operation were the driving factors behind GBR Transport’s decision to meet the standards of the TruckSafe safety accreditation program.
Based at Carrum Downs in Melbourne’s south-west, GBR is the newest member of the Trucksafe program. The company operates a fleet of 12 prime movers with six refrigerated trailers and six refrigerated rigid trucks.
As GBR Transport general manager Paul English explained, the company decided to join TruckSafe as an important step toward ensuring it was abiding by all its legal requirements.
“As part of TruckSafe, we’ve changed the way we do a lot of things,” he remarked. “The TruckSafe standards give us confidence that our drivers are fit for work, our vehicles are roadworthy, our maintenance is up to scratch and our workshop has clear procedures to follow.”
The TruckSafe program is an initiative of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) and in congratulating GBR Transport on achieving TruckSafe accreditation, Australian Trucking Association chief executive Stuart St Clair didn’t miss the opportunity to sing the program’s praises.
“If you (freight customers) use a TruckSafe accredited business, you know you’re dealing with a safe, professional operator,” Stuart St Clair commented.
“TruckSafe operators are required to meet rigorous standards in management, maintenance, workplace safety and driver health, and training.
“Being TruckSafe accredited is not just a matter of ticking boxes, but changing the way you do business,” he emphasised.
“There are lots of accreditation programs out there, but TruckSafe is the only one that changes a business’s safety culture.
“Independent statistics show that TruckSafe operators are twice as safe as non-accredited operators, while insurance statistics from National Transport Insurance show that TruckSafe operators make a third fewer insurance claims than non-accredited operators.”
