Whilst BFM does not increase the ability of drivers to work beyond 144 hours in a 14-day period, it does enable drivers to work up to 14 hours a day in the event of unexpected delays. It has long been recognised that unavoidable or unforeseen delays are constant sources of frustration which compromise truck drivers to work outside regulated hours.

How can we help you? Quite easily .... we do all of the paperwork and step you through the processes of training, medical and audit. We train you in the requirements and offer ongoing training support to you and your staff. All we need from our clients is commitment!

The rules regarding this accreditation are numerous; bear in mind that BFM accreditation is about risk. What is the extent of the risk and the consequences ....

• to a driver
• to a company which employs drivers and the equipment owned by it
• the family of a driver
• to other road users

if a driver is tired and forced to continue driving beyond what the body is capable of doing? The accreditation forces owner/drivers and employers of drivers to address this risk by having contingencies in place to avoid, and ideally eliminate, that risk.

The Standards for BFM have been written through consultation and advice from sleep experts and other medical authorities and has six Standards which must be met:

• Standard 1: Responsibilities
• Standard 2: Records and Documentation
• Standard 3: Fatigue Knowledge and Awareness
• Standard 4: Scheduling and Rostering
• Standard 5: Fitness for Duty
• Standard 6: Internal Review

Who can work to BFM hours?

• A driver who is an employee of a transport business which is itself accredited in the Basic Fatigue Module (this includes a driver whose business is incorporated)
• An owner/operator trading as a sole proprietor
• An owner/operator who is subcontracted to a prime carrier which is accredited in the Basic Fatigue Module and which is agreeable to nominating the owner/operator under its accreditation

There is still confusion as to when a truck driver can work to BFM hours.

An owner/operator is a record-keeper under the legislation; a transport company which employs truck drivers is a record-keeper under the legislation. If a truck driver is a Director of, or works for, his own company, he is an employee, and needs to distance himself from his role as Director - under the legislation the company has specified responsibilities and needs to be protected from prosecution.

If an owner/operator wishes to work to BFM hours in his or her own right, he or she must attend two courses - the course for the drivers and the course for the schedulers or record-keepers - and undergo a medical. In addition, an owner/operator must have the policies and procedures in place which address the six Standards above.

Simply attending a training course for fatigue without following the remaining procedures does not allow a driver to work to BFM hours.

Training is specified in Standard 3 (Fatigue Knowledge and Awareness) which requires that:

• Drivers attend the nominated course defined as TLIF1007C - Apply Fatigue Management Strategies
• Schedulers and/or Record-keepers attend the nominated course defined as TLIF6307A - Facilitate the Implementation of Fatigue Management Strategies

In addition to the training, personnel must attend a medical examination as prescribed by the criteria of the "Assessing Fitness to Drive". The purpose of the medical is to determine whether a truck driver is suffering from a disease such as sleep apnoea, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. These diseases are prevalent to those sitting in one position for any length of time, work erratic hours and "eat on the run" at roadhouses or such.

The specific steps to be followed to be able to work to BFM hours are:

• Compile fatigue policies and procedures
• Relevant personnel undertake one or both training courses
• Relevant personnel attend a medical
• Have the fatigue policies and procedures audited by a qualified auditor (called an "entry audit")
• Sign the Application for Membership and the audit report and forward both documents to the NHVR for processing
• Wait for the Certificate of Accreditation to be issued by the NHVR - this Certificate will have an Accreditation Number on it which is the number to be used in the Driver Work Diary when working to BFM or AFM hours
• For employers of employed or subcontracted drivers, the employer must issue each driver with an authorisation letter. The authorisation letter should state that the driver has attended the fatigue training course, the driver has undertaken a medical, and that the driver has the permission of the accredited operator to use its BFM Number. A copy of the Certificate of Accreditation must be attached to the authorisation letter
• An owner/operator has two choices - either carry in the truck a copy of the Certificate of Accreditation, the Training Certificate and the Medical Certificate, or a signed letter stating that he has undertaken the two training courses and has a current medical, and attach a copy of the Certificate of Accreditation

Understand that the employer is accredited, and the people operating under the employer's accreditation are nominated by the employer.  

If a driver resigns the authorisation letter MUST be handed back to the employer - to not do so will attract a fine by the authorities.  

Good record-keeping is essential for accredited operators to demonstrate the level of control over authorisations.

The benefits of peace of mind in knowing that you have extra hours for contingencies is well worth the effort!