Why You Should Have a NHVAS Audit
Do you need an NHVAS audit for your company, or is it something you can do without? While an NHVAS audit is optional, we’d urge every fleet or heavy vehicle owner to consider getting it done for their business. From hauling large quantities of dangerous substances to other goods and services, surely you’d want to ensure that your vehicle’s standards always meet or exceed the safety standards expected of you. Not only does this give you peace of mind, but it fosters trust for your services in the industry. With that in mind, here’s why you should get an NHVAS audit done on your vehicles.
What is an NHVAS Audit?
In Australia, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is responsible for setting and monitoring the regulations that the heavy vehicle industry adheres to. For heavy vehicles to operate legally on Australian roads, they need to go through a process of testing, certifications, and approvals before they can safely operate. An optional scheme provided by the NHVR is the NHVAS audit, a set of audits conducted by the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation auditors that ensure your vehicles are safe and reliable, that you’re compliant with regulations, and to boost your operational efficiency.
Why should you have an NHVAS Audit?
Essentially, this voluntary scheme is designed to improve your safety and the safety of others on the road, comply with the relative NHVR regulations, and improve your business’s operational capacity in the heavy vehicle sector. By having NHVAS accreditation, you’re demonstrating that your systems and vehicles comply with the expected standards, helping you meet your primary duty obligations and fostering a sense of trust for your products with the public. So, while an NHVAS is voluntary, it’ll provide you with a guideline to ensure your business is always on the right track.
The benefits of an NHVAS Audit
To further explain why NHVAS is in your best interest, here are some of the benefits of having an audit done:
Improves the safety of your operations
In addition to ensuring that vehicles all meet strict safety standards, NHVAS accreditation also requires operators to adhere to strict safety protocols, ensuring that the whole line of production or operations is as safe as can be. As a result of this, vehicles are safer for operators to drive, fleets are better equipped and maintained, and drivers are better trained and more alert, which overall reduces the number of accidents or incidents on the road. For example, the Fatigue Management module assists companies in enforcing safer working hours, preventing drivers from driving when they’re tired.
Improves and maintains compliance
Companies in the heavy vehicle industry need to adhere to strict regulations to ensure they aren’t penalised or prohibited from accessing the Australian market. We all know how busy life is and how sometimes we can let things slip now and then. Having NHVAS audits done ensures that you always maintain your compliance with the various NHVR regulations. Doing this will save you time and help you avoid any regulatory issues like fines or other legal obligations that come with you not being compliant. Under the maintenance management module, you can undergo regular vehicle inspections to ensure they meet regulatory requirements.
Access to the CML and HML road networks
As an accredited company, you’ll be afforded access to the CML and HML’s road networks, which go through Australia, offering you better transport routes that allow for higher load volumes. This is particularly valuable if you’re a transportation company that delivers goods and services because it improves your transport efficiency while maintaining safety. In addition to that, it’ll also save you money. The bigger loads you’re able to transport, the fewer vehicles you need to fund on the road at a time.
It’ll bolster your reputation and create competitive advantages
One of the benefits of being NHVAS accredited is that other companies looking for your services will see the accreditation and hire you on account of this reputation. Like we said earlier, being accredited means that you’ve demonstrated your commitment to safety, compliance, and efficiency. In the eyes of the industry and market, this makes your business trustworthy and could attract customers.
In addition to that, because your company’s reputation is improved, it might give a competitive advantage to other businesses in the industry, increasing the need to stay compliant and giving you more opportunities.
Final Thoughts
While having an audit done is optional, remember that it aims to improve your businesses compliance, safety, and operational efficiency and quality standards, ensuring that your business is always compliant with NHVR regulations and that your productivity is optimised. Get your NHVAS audit done sooner rather than later.
