OP NORTHERN
Northland Compliance Operation
ACT 1982
17-18 April 2019
INFORMATION
s9(2)(a)
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1. SITUATION
1.1 The cartage of logs in a prominent business activity across New Zealand, and due to the nature of
the operations involved, can attract a higher degree of risk when looking at compliance with both
vehicle standards and work time rules. Vehicles are subject to unique stresses and conditions
which can prematurely wear mechanical parts, and the nature of the working environment can
ACT 1982
encourage some operators to allow some flaunting of driving hour and rest requirements. The
potential for serious and high risk crashes is high and could have far reaching implications for the
local economy and driving fraternity.
s6(c)
. The purpose of this
operation is to test the levels of compliance amongst operators in that area, both in terms of
vehicle compliance and driver compliance with work time rules. In is envisaged that all forms of
INFORMATION
heavy transport will be the subject of the operation, however the primary focus is to obtain an
accurate and contemporary picture of the Northland logging transport industry.
The emphasis will be on having specialist vehicle inspecting staff conduct roadside vehicle
inspections (members from both the Police Commercial Vehicle Safety Team (CVST) and New
Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA)) and having compliance officers from both agencies speaking
with drivers and obtaining work time log book pages for later examination.
Staffing will consist of Northland based CVST staff and Christchurch and Auckland based Agency
staff (refer Staffing section for further details).
2. MISSION
2.1 To obtain an accurate picture of compliance amongst Northland logging transport operators
through vehicle stops involving driver interviews and vehicle inspections.
s6(c)
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NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY
DOCUMENT TITLE // 2
s6(c)
ACT 1982
INFORMATION
4.2 Health and Safety
4.2.1 The site selected should be checked for hazards before starting the operation, and where
possible eliminate or minimise what is found. If this cannot be done, consideration should be
given as to whether the hazard warrants continuing at the location.
4.2.2 Working around heavy vehicles poses a number of health and safety risks and personal safety
and awareness of your surroundings must be the highest priority. Drivers of vehicles being
stopped and spoken to at roadside testing sites must be instructed clearly on requirements
regarding the movement of their vehicles.
4.2.3 High visibility clothing must be worn at all times, as well as approved safety footwear.
4.2.4 It must always be recognised that there is the potential for adverse reactions to enforcement
staff by a minority of drivers and this should always be a consideration when involved in these
operations. In such an event, withdrawal and considering follow up at a future time should be
the option. If Police are present and the circumstances dictate, their tactical abilities should be
called upon.
4.2.5 The location of all staff should always be known amongst the team. All personnel should be
accounted for at the end of the days operations and in cases where any staff need to separate
and conduct enquiries in relation to the operation. Staff should ensure that they use the buddy
system whenever and whenever it is applicable.
4.2.6 In the event of any health and safety related accident or near miss, these must be reported and
if serious, reported immediately to the overseeing Road Compliance Manager.
4.3
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Media
4.3.1 Actions taken over recent times have resulted in considerable media attention, particularly
around Semenoff Logging regulatory proceedings. It is possible that media may approach staff
seeking comment around the operation or wider regulatory action involving the NZTA. Any
approaches should be referred to the Agencies media team in Wellington.
4.3.2 Any approaches as outlined above should be reported to Kelvin Lloyd, South Island MRC.
4.4 Meals/Expenditure
NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY
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s6(c)
ACT 1982
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s6(c)
ACT 1982
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OP NORTHERN (II)
Northland Compliance Operation
ACT 1982
15 May 2019
INFORMATION
s9(2)(a)
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
1. SITUATION
1.1 The cartage of logs in a prominent business activity across New Zealand, and due to the nature of
the operations involved, can attract a higher degree of risk when looking at compliance with both
vehicle standards and work time rules. Vehicles are subject to unique stresses and conditions
which can prematurely wear mechanical parts, and the nature of the working environment can
ACT 1982
encourage some operators to allow some flaunting of driving hour and rest requirements. The
potential for serious and high risk crashes is high and could have far reaching implications for the
local economy and driving fraternity.
s6(c)
, a short road compliance operation (Operation
Northland) was undertaken in the Northland area over a two-day period in mid-March 2019. The
purpose of this operation was to test the levels of compliance amongst operators in that area, both
in terms of vehicle compliance and driver compliance with work time rules. In was envisaged that
INFORMATION
all forms of heavy transport would be the subject of the operation, however the primary focus was
to obtain an accurate and contemporary picture of the Northland logging transport industry.
The emphasis was on having specialist vehicle inspecting staff conduct roadside vehicle
inspections (members from both the Police Commercial Vehicle Safety Team (CVST) and New
Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA)) and having compliance officers from both agencies speak with
drivers and obtaining work time log book pages for later examination.
This follow up operation will be limited to a one day snap shot to assess any change to the results
found from the initial Operation Northland deployment, and assess any patterns or operational
changes that companies involved in the cartage of logs have taken since the Agency action, and
specifically the last roadside operation.
As with the previous operation, staffing will consist of Northland based CVST staff and
Christchurch based Agency staff (refer Staffing section for further details).
2. MISSION
2.1 To obtain an accurate picture of compliance amongst Northland logging transport operators
through vehicle stops involving driver interviews and vehicle inspections.
s6(c)
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NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY
DOCUMENT TITLE // 2
s6(c)
ACT 1982
INFORMATION
4.2 Health and Safety
4.2.1 The site selected should be checked for hazards before starting the operation, and where
possible eliminate or minimise what is found. If this cannot be done, consideration should be
given as to whether the hazard warrants continuing at the location. The assessment and
decision making around suitability will be made by Vehicle Specialist, Deane Palmer.
4.2.2 Working around heavy vehicles poses a number of health and safety risks and personal safety
and awareness of your surroundings must be the highest priority. Drivers of vehicles being
stopped and spoken to at roadside testing sites must be instructed clearly on requirements
regarding the movement of their vehicles.
4.2.3 High visibility clothing must be worn at all times, as well as approved safety footwear.
4.2.4 It must always be recognised that there is the potential for adverse reactions to enforcement
staff by a minority of drivers and this should always be a consideration when involved in these
operations. In such an event, withdrawal and considering follow up at a future time should be
the option. If Police are present and the circumstances dictate, their tactical abilities should be
called upon.
4.2.5 The location of all staff should always be known amongst the team. All personnel should be
accounted for at the end of the days operations and in cases where any staff need to separate
and conduct enquiries in relation to the operation. Staff should ensure that they use the buddy
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
system whenever and whenever it is applicable.
4.2.6 In the event of any health and safety related accident or near miss, these must be reported and
if serious, reported immediately to the overseeing Road Compliance Manager.
4.3 Media
4.3.1 Actions taken over recent times have resulted in considerable media attention, particularly
around Semenoff Logging regulatory proceedings. It is possible that media may approach staff
NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY
DOCUMENT TITLE // 3
seeking comment around the operation or wider regulatory action involving the NZTA. Any
approaches should be referred to the Agencies media team in Wellington.
s6(c)
4.4 Meals/Expenditure
4.4.1 Meals for Agency staff will be purchased as per normal work away from home policy, and paid
for with corporate credit card.
4.4.2 Any other expenditure that has to be incurred during this operation should be referred to Kelvin
Lloyd for approval.
ACT 1982
4.5 Accomodation
4.5.1 Accomodation for Agency staff travelling to the Northland area has been arranged for the two
nights of the operation. All staff have been accommodated at pre-arranged accommodation.
s6(c)
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NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY
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s6(c)
ACT 1982
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