NSW SPV Crane Certification Program to Continue with an Added Guideline

Due to the efforts of The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and Roads and Maritime Services who have collaborated with the crane industry, the Special Purpose Vehicle Crane Certification Program is continuing in New South Wales. The program will include an added guideline to improve safety and compliance.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Chief Executive, Sal Petroccitto announced this week that as of Monday 15 December 2014, crane operators in NSW could continue to rely on self-declaration of the dimension and weight of particular special purpose vehicles for registration purposes. Mr Petroccitto said this was the “common sense” approach to the issue.

On its website, the NHVR quoted Mr Petroccitto who explained:

“This is a common-sense approach borne out of our discussions with the recently-established NHVR Crane Industry Operations Group,” said Mr Petroccitto.

“Members representing the crane industry were keen for the NSW model of crane registration to continue.

“The NHVR quickly identified the changes needed and worked with Roads and Maritime to integrate the existing processes and procedures,” said Mr Petroccitto.

Source: https://www.nhvr.gov.au

The program will continue with one enhancement, the addition of a new weight measurement procedure that has been added, introducing specific weighing requirements.

According to the NHVR, the move has been designed to ensure certification of the vehicle’s weight is applied consistently across the program.

The news of the continuation of the program has been welcomed by the industry including the NSW Branch of the Crane Industry Council of Australia. In an article on trucking website, Fullyloaded.com.au Paul Churchill, the chairman explained:

“Having this simple yet robust process continue is a win for industry resulting from our ongoing practical partnership with the NHVR and Roads and Maritime,” chair Paul Churchill says.

Source: http://www.fullyloaded.com.au/news/industry/1412/deal-reached-to-continue-crane-certification-scheme-in-nsw/

The Crane Industry Council of Australia’s NSW Branch chair, Paul Churchill was also quoted when he thanked the NHVR and Roads and Maritime for their efforts to continue the process for the benefit of operators. Churchill explained:

“Having this simple yet robust process continue is a win for industry resulting from our ongoing practical partnership with the NHVR and Roads and Maritime,” said Mr Churchill.

Source: https://www.nhvr.gov.au

The new Weight Measurement Procedure includes specific weighing requirements to ensure certification of the vehicle’s weight is applied consistently across the program.

The NHVR explained that the new Weight Measurement Procedure introduces specific weighing requirements. These measures are aimed at achieving consistency of vehicle’s weight across the program.

According to the NHVR, ensuring the axle mass is correctly assessed will be simple. It will take into consideration the variety of scales used and how the vehicle is weighed.

The NHVR went on to explain on their website that an imported SPV requires an In-principle Support Application through the NHVR, operators can self-declare through the SPV Crane Certification Program to confirm the vehicle’s weight and dimension.

The Roads and Maritime Services General Manager of Compliance and Enforcement Paul Endycott explains:

“The self-declaration process was originally developed to cut red tape for industry and to provide greater industry responsibility in the operation of SPVs on the road network,” said.

“However, a full assessment by an authorised crane inspection station is still required before the vehicle can be registered in New South Wales to ensure it complies with relevant standards, ” said Mr Endycott.

Source: https://www.nhvr.gov.au

The NHVR is confident that the SPV Crane Certification Program will further enhance their efforts to reduce red tape for the heavy vehicle businesses with government.

For more information, visit the Roads and Maritime website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/heavy-vehicles/road-access/mobile-cranes.html