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Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
ROAD TRANSPORT
NEWS
NZ Express and Wareing’s trucks approach Christchurch from a nearly empty southern motorway.
Getting through
Even as the lockdown took effect, New MEETING THE CHALLENGE
Zealand’s truck fleet was getting on
with business—ensuring that essential COPING WITH STRESS
supplies get through to the people who
BUSINESS AND THE LAW
need them most. But the industry will
continue to face big challenges as it ADVICE FOR DRIVERS
adapts to a new reality.
RTANZ NEWS 1
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
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RTANZ NEWS 2
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Contents
PAGE 4
Meeting the challenge
Road transport operators stepped up during the Level 4 lockdown but some faced big
challenges and will continue to do so under Level 3.
PAGE 9
Protecting your business
Health and Safety matters more than ever. Safe Business Solutions has advice on the
steps to take to keep your business safe—and how to restart safely under Level 3.
PAGE 12
Maintaining vehicle safety
With COFs and WOFs on hold, Road Transport Forum technical manager Kerry Arnold
says it’s vital for operators to ensure their vehicles remain safe to operate.
PAGE 17
Legal matters
Lawyer Amanda Douglas, of Wynn Williams, describes what legal requirements
employees need to follow and where to find information about COVID-19.
PAGE 22
Around the regions
RTANZ Area Executives round up news and developments from around New Zealand.
Events Contact Us
The RTANZ combined seminars for Regions Two and Website: rtanz.co.nz
Three and Four and Five have been cancelled 0800 367 782
because of COVID-19. Senior Executive: Simon Carson,
The RTF Transport Summit in Wellington has also scarson@rtanz.co.nz, 027 55 66 099
been cancelled. Editor: David Killick, Communications Manager,
dkillick@rtanz.co.nz, 027 55 44 272
August 19: Heavy Haulage Association Conference,
Administration: Victoria Higgs,
Hamilton—TBC
admin@rtanz.co.nz, 027 365 2075
August 28: Region Two and Three AGMs—TBC Membership Benefits Coordinator: Vicki Harris,
vharris@rtanz.co.nz, 027 534 3848
We welcome contributions and feedback for this
magazine.
RTANZ NEWS 3
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Cover story
Sorted Logistics heads into Christchurch during the Level 4 lockdown.
Trucking companies on the front line
Road transport operators have kept the economy running but face big challenges ahead,
writes David Killick
E
ven as cell phones buzzed and lit up with you are alert, you’re aware of it, and don’t get
the warning, “National Emergency”, road distracted.”
transport operators were gearing up to Another good piece of news was the fall in
move essential goods around the country. the price of diesel, now about $1.06 per litre
On the morning of March 25, retail, prompted by an oversupply
while thousands of Kiwis began and lack of demand in world
working from home under Alert “New Zealand has markets.
Level 4 to counter the deadly to realise farmers Hunt said moving essential
COVID-19 pandemic, trucks were and transport are items only, like foodstuffs, meant
already out and about—picking up
the backbone of an almost a 50 per cent drop on
rubbish bins, making deliveries, normal volumes, a figure
and heading out over strangely
the country.”
consistent with that reported by
deserted highways. —Fiona Murdoch,
other operators. “We’re sharing
Murdoch Transport
The lack of traffic brought the work out among us.”
respite from congestion and Fiona Murdoch, the co-owner
impatient motorists and a chance for nature to with husband Brian of Murdoch Transport, in
breathe. It gave truck drivers a much smoother Pahiatua, said a temporary halt in stock sales
run—so much so that it prompted a warning. caused problems although baleage was doing
“It’s very quiet out there,” said Hina Hunt, well. She was worried about the mortgage and
northern area manager for Summerlands, the future but remained upbeat. “We’ll get
based in Christchurch. “The boys when they do through. It’s essential work. New Zealand has to
notice someone, it’s a hard case. It’s about realise farmers and transport are the backbone
educating our drivers. You have to make sure of the country.”
RTANZ NEWS 4
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Riki Gilchrist, a
driver for
Summerlands,
has his load of
toilet paper
unloaded from a
Freightliner
Argosy at the
Foodstuffs
Distribution Centre
in Christchurch.
Mark Carter, South Island operations manager others would struggle. “The meat industry, pet
of Conroy Removals, said under Level 4 they foods, horticulture, kiwifruit—it’s the peak part of
could only move essentials including food items, their season—food stuffs, and FCMG [Fast
hot plates to keep food hot, wheelchairs, hospital Moving Consumer Goods], have been busier
beds, and wine barrels—“essential to keep the than usual,” he said. [continued on page 7]
harvest going.”
Those in the process of moving house had to
wait and put goods in storage, including a huge
amount of personal effects from overseas.
Conroy was able to get them off the wharf, Improve cashflow
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checked by biosecurity, and de-vanned.
Keeping safe under Level 3 will be a priority, with regular
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says Carter. “Our industry requires two people to
carry things. We have got some challenges off-road refunds
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ahead. Under Level 3, we can operate and ####################################
distribute people’s goods. We’ll unload it the best ####################################
we can.” Is your money sitting with
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the NZ Transport Agency,
He says the big challenge now is getting
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income but businesses shouldn’t rush. “You have waiting for you
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to work out your plan.” to claim it?
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Stewart Taylor, managing director of Hastings- ####################################
based Tomoana Warehousing, said his business ####################################
is highly exposed to primary product in the ####################################
CONTACT US NOW
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Hawkes Bay and the lockdown came in the
middle of the apple harvest. This kept business 0800 437 623
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going but other industries shut down. Level 3 will www.eroad.co.nz
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mean a welcome resumption in the transport of
construction and consumer goods.
Ian Emmerson, managing director of
Emmerson Transport Ltd, also in Hastings, and
the chairman of RTANZ, said that some industries
had come through Level 4 in good shape, but
RTANZ NEWS 5
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
The ‘retirement old girl truck’ helps farmers. —Murdoch Transport, Pahiatua.
Tomoana Warehousing in Hastings gets set to head out on the road.
Conroy Furniture Movers has been looking forward to Level 3.
RTANZ NEWS 6
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
“There’s some pulp for toilet paper,
and health products.”
Logging has experienced a real shutdown.
“They are endeavouring to get that industry
kicked off. Level 3 will ease a few things. A lot of
industries will suffer.”
RTANZ Senior Area Executive Simon Carson
has been keeping abreast of the changes. “This
is probably the busiest I have been since I
started at RTANZ.”
Carson says that some operators have been
struggling. Containers at ports were down by 20
per cent. Other issues need to be clarified: for
example, 600,000 expired WOFs, 800,000
registrations expired, and what is happening with Online grocery orders and deliveries have grown.
RUCs. Insurance for parked up trucks has also
been important.
Government for assisting them in getting the
Another important issue at the outset of the
necessary goods through.
lockdown was organizing sufficient toilet facilities
for truck drivers as many councils closed them. “Thousands of truck drivers have been
RTANZ and the RTF worked to get them open leaving their safe home bubbles each day to
and keep operators up to date. deliver essential goods such as food to
supermarkets, health and safety supplies to
RTANZ Area Executive Sandy Walker says it’s health workers, exports to generate income for
been a challenging time for everyone. “Things the country and keep our supply routes open,
ramped up like crazy in the first week as people and petrol so essential workers can get to and
struggled with information on essential/non- from work.”
essential loads.
This has required new ways of doing things
This then smoothed out and plenty of co-
until the PM announced we operation. “Those truck
were moving to Level 3. “For many road freight drivers are backed up by a
“All operators are looking operators, the lockdown has whole team of other
forward to getting back into meant running at a loss.” essential workers, often
it but many that have worked working from home,
—Nick Leggett, Road Transport Forum CEO
through Level 4 are including dispatchers who
concerned about check their welfare on the
manufacturers/factories opening up with their road. For many road freight
own H&S requirements which will be different. operators, the lockdown has meant running at a
loss because the normal business rules haven’t
“There’s lots to be learnt from this event and
applied and they haven’t been able to run their
let’s hope we never have to go through this again
trucks as efficiently as they normally would.
but if we do at least we will know how to deal
with it and what needs to change to make it “Food has of course, been a high priority, and
workable for our industry—mostly food and that New Zealanders have been well fed during
comfort stops for the linehaul vehicles that the lockdown has been in no small part, due to
worked 24/7.” truck drivers.
New Zealand’s success in eliminating “More people have certainly learned how
COVID-19—we hope—has been a testament to absolutely essential road freight transport is and
sound leadership, sound medical advice, how complex the logistics of moving goods
efficient testing and tracing programs, and around New Zealand and the world are.
community co-operation. However, there are still “There are certainly challenges ahead as the
big challenges for the economy. world grapples with COVID-19, but truck drivers
Road Transport Forum (RTF) chief executive will keep doing what they do to ensure the
Nick Leggett says unfortunately some essentials of life are there when we need them.”
businesses may not recover. He thanks essential
workers in the road freight industry, and the
RTANZ NEWS 7
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Essential information for members
The Road Transport Forum (RTF) is the central point • This Advisory on preparing vehicles and drivers for
of communication for the road freight transport Alert Level 3
industry. • This Advisory for livestock transporters
• Guidance and protocols specific to the road freight
General information
transport industry are available here
The COVID-19 website: https://covid19.govt.nz/
• WorkSafe has signed off guidance and protocols
developed by the RTF to help businesses transition Relief for businesses and individuals
to Alert Level 3. There are two Level 3 guidance Government measures to provide relief for small and
posters available for workplaces available here medium-sized businesses:
• Guidance on what business can and cannot • $3.1 billion tax loss carry-back scheme (estimated
operate can be found here cost over the next two years)
• Full information about Alert Levels is here • $60 million estimated annual savings to business
WorkSafe – Covid-19 safety plan from changes to the tax loss continuity rules
WorkSafe says that under Alert Level 3 all businesses • $25 million in the next 12 months for further
that are permitted to resume operations need to have business consultancy support
a Covid-19 safety plan that sets out how they will • Greater flexibility for affected businesses to meet
operate safely. For businesses operating as an their tax obligations
essential service under Alert Level 4, a start-up plan • support for commercial tenants and landlords
is not required. However, the controls they have in
https://workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/
place need to continue in Alert Level 3.
emergencies/2020/coronavirus.html#null
WorkSafe has developed a template to help develop
a Covid-19 safety plan which you can find here https://www.rtfnz.co.nz/wp-content/
uploads/15-April-SME-factsheet_0.pdf
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RTANZ NEWS 8
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Health & Safety
Businesses need to focus on increased risks
C
OVID-19 is not an excuse to ignore “There will be different needs for different
business as usual health and safety risks. sectors, including checking equipment that’s
Businesses are being urged to focus on been inactive for weeks and then reviewing
known health and safety risks, alongside those operations and day to day processes to make
of COVID-19, to limit any spike in incident sure we all remain safe.
numbers in the Level 3 lockdown. “The best advice is to follow the three
The comments from Greg Dearsly, President principles: leadership and communication across
of the New Zealand Institute of Safety the whole workplace, management of business
Management (NZISM), echo those of the as usual risks with those related to COVID-19,
Government’s support of “safe” economic activity and regular worker discussion and
at Level 3 and the importance of staying safe engagement.”
and looking after each other. Leaving lockdown is a first for everyone—
Dearsly points out that leaving lockdown and there will be new pressures including financial
getting back to business will be more uncertainty about the future and even business
challenging than the annual return to work after viability.
the long summer break, when Safe working also now means
there’s often an increase in rules around social distancing
serious workplace injuries and “The risks have and high standards of
fatalities. People take time to get increased and this hygiene.This doesn’t just mean
back into work mode after a personal but also making sure
means extra health
break. equipment used by different
While New Zealand has been
and safety effort is people is sanitised regularly to
immersed in COVID-19 related essential.” prevent the virus from surviving
health and safety conversation on different surfaces.
for weeks, the usual health and “These topics have been
safety risks still exist for all organisations and discussed in the media and amongst ourselves
need special attention: for weeks, but this new COVID environment is
“After a lot of inactivity businesses will want to not an excuse to take eyes off the risks that
make up for lost ground but rushing isn’t going to already exist.
help. We need to take it a step at a time “This pandemic has shown that as a country
especially now we also have to consider we place the health and the safety of our people
additional safe work practices such as social ahead of everything—Kiwis have shown this by
distancing. In this new environment the risks their commitment to adhering to lock down
have increased and this means extra health and rules. I would encourage businesses to maintain
safety effort is essential. this spirit as we start to return to work.”
“The first consideration for all businesses Dearsly also highlighted that no organisation
should be workers’ mental health,” he says. “It will have all the answers in this new health and
will be important to check-in with everyone as we safety environment so they shouldn’t hesitate to
return. People need to understand each other’s seek credible advice from different
situations after being in lockdown, so we can be experts. Many are industry specific, including
safer together.” NZISM-accredited practitioners and
Dearsly also emphasises the importance of professionals, and those registered through the
post lockdown “return to work” days where Health and Safety Association of New Zealand
people are able to re-familiarise themselves with (HASANZ).
equipment and operations.
RTANZ NEWS 9
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Health & Safety
Wearing of masks may not be mandatory but will be part of a suite of tools used to manage critical risks.
PHOTO: USAID IMAGES
Getting ready for a safe restart
Safe Business Solutions has practical step-by-step advice.
T 1
he coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit us Have a plan and manage the risks
all unexpectedly, and our worries and
uncertainties are fuelled by this unusual Every workplace should have a plan in place
situation. on how they are going to manage the
When the storm is over and the dust settles, additional risks associated with COVID-19. Apply
however, we have the future. Even a pandemic the business’s usual risk assessment thought
has an expiry date. processes to COVID-19 risks. Hygiene, health
Under these circumstances, businesses and monitoring, physical distancing/separation, and
their owners and managers face tough business tracing need to be key aspects of the site plan.
decisions, amid ad hoc government actions to Business owners may need to install new
manage the crisis. While actions related to signage, new hygiene stations and reconfigure
immediate business continuity are necessary and their sites or offices to provide separation before
vital, carefully considering the subsequent everyone returns to the workplace.
2
business reboot is critical to keep our people
safe and to stay ahead of competitors. Ensure physical separation
There are a number of key safety issues Consider total separation of teams where
business owners should be thinking about, as possible and potentially reduce the
well as steps they can take, not only to react to numbers of employees there are on each site—if
the changing landscape now but also to reshape one employee becomes infected it will prevent
their business and safely plan for recovery. the whole team being at home for a 14-day
Read on to see how you can apply these isolation! Consider how to minimise visitors to
steps to your business. sites and/or the office.
RTANZ NEWS 10Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
3 7
Re-evaluate cleaning procedures Support mental wellbeing
Think about how improvements can be Remember some employees may need
made to cleaning procedures to protect the support. They may be worried about
business and employees. To ensure business returning to work, may have vulnerable family
operations are “squeaky clean”, consider doing members or may want to wear additional PPE (for
some (or all) of the following: example, masks). Support those people.
• Ramp up how often the workplace is cleaned;
8
• Stock up the workplace with coronavirus Accommodate remote work
fighting soap, disinfectants, and hand sanitiser;
Working from home may not be a common
• Ask employees to disinfect their desks daily; practice in the workplace but may be required
• Request that sick employees don’t come to site/ under level 2, 3, and 4 Alert Level restrictions.
into the office; Ensure that the business has suitable policies and
• Encourage employees to wash their hands guidelines in place to manage these changes. Be
more often. clear on policies—where they apply, how they will
work, and when they will be reviewed.
Keeping workplaces as clean as a whistle will give
9
employees some peace of mind knowing that Communicate
they’re working in a safe environment. Not to
mention, employees will appreciate the extra
effort to ensure they stay healthy. Employees will likely be exposed to
conflicting information and feel anxious or
4
confused about the best course of action. Be sure
Provide PPE to communicate policies promptly, clearly, and in a
balanced manner. Give some context to the
Ensure PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
reasoning behind policies so that employees can
is available, suitable for the task and that
understand the “why” and also take initiative in
employees have been trained in its use. Where
unanticipated situations.
masks or hand sanitiser are difficult to source, look
10
for alternative suppliers, put in place interim Future-proof now for next time
solutions and communicate plans to all relevant
stakeholders. Remember PPE use is one of the Preparing for the next crisis (such as
lower levels of control. Wearing of masks may not an “Act of God” or natural disaster or a
be mandatory but will be part of a suite of tools potential next phase of the current crisis) now is
used to manage critical risks. Some employees likely to be much more effective than an ad hoc,
may want to wear masks anyway. reactive response when the potential crisis
actually hits. Now is a good time to re-evaluate
5
Anticipate employee needs the business’s continuity plan, how effective it
was at guiding the business through COVID-19,
Restrictions on travel and group and what needs to change to minimise issues in
congregation will trigger employee needs for the future.
flexibility around children at home, health care,
daily provisions and the like. Business owners
should anticipate and develop solutions to these For advice or support in employment, Human
while maintaining fairness and expectations of Resources, recruitment, Health & Safety or
what is acceptable and what is not. Many of these
Business Continuity planning matters, call the SBS
needs will be locally specific.
Team, Freephone 0508 424 723.
6
Be clear on travel
Ensure travel policies are clear in terms of
where employees can travel to, for what reasons,
what authorisations are required, and when the
policy will be reviewed.
RTANZ NEWS 11Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Compliance
Ensure your vehicles are safe to operate
Road Transport Forum technical manager Kerry Arnold has essen;al advice for operators.
T
he recently announced relaxation of COF
inspections as part of the government’s
COVID-19 initiatives has the potential to
present challenges for some in the industry.
For the record, it was only after considerable
petitioning of the authorities, particularly NZTA,
by Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick
Leggett, that the agency released Land Transport
Rule: COVID-19 Response (No 1) 2020
temporarily amending the COF inspection and
driver licensing provisions for the freight sector.
As expected, these changes will go some way to
providing relief to those providing essential
services during the current crisis situation and
beyond.
Please note, this is not an unlimited relief
provision but NZTA has the authority to extend
the relief provisions until 10 October 2020.
The new challenge applies to those who rely
on the COF inspection and accompanying
vehicle condition assessments (VCAs) for
determining their vehicle maintenance practices.
This approach is totally suspect in terms of
ensuring the safety of the vehicles and staff that
drive or operate them as the COF inspection is
simply a snap shot in time. It provides little
evidence of vehicle condition beyond a very
limited time frame around the COF.
By their very design, including service Operators should conduct vehicle pre-trip inspections
and perform routine scheduled maintenance.
application and demand cycle, vehicles and
PHOTO: TRUCK PR
components will deteriorate, sometimes resulting
in the vehicle becoming non-compliant and the
systems exceeding manufacturers’ tolerance. Letting a vehicle “drift” out of manufacturer’s
This can present a safety risk that must be tolerance and into non-compliance can also
addressed with urgency. jeopardise insurance cover.
On the other hand, the relaxation of COF
inspections presents the opportunity for the
trucking industry to step up and show how well
its vehicle safety management systems work.
“Letting a vehicle ‘drift’ out of
Just to emphasise the point, the changes do
manufacturer’s tolerance and not in any way allow the operation of unsafe or
into non-compliance can also non-compliant vehicles, nor do they extinguish
jeopardise insurance cover.” the transport operators’ obligations set out in the
Transport Act 1998 where vehicles are to be safe
and operated in compliance with rules.
RTANZ NEWS 12Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
For a full size version of the NZTA picture you can print out, click here or see the links on the following page.
It follows that CVST and Police retain the The daily walkaround inspection role is usually
power to remove vehicles they consider unsafe carried out by the driver assigned to the vehicle.
from service whether they are essential service This should be undertaken at commencement of
vehicles or not. each shift and any faults and inconsistencies
So, the overriding expectation is that in an advised to dispatch or maintenance staff. It’s easy
environment where there is no mandatory periodic to ignore minor problems but just as Murphy’s
inspection regime, all operators should commit to Law is Murphy’s Law, minor faults associated with
some form of prescriptive vehicle pre-trip trucks or trailers have this irrefutable tendency to
inspection regime and where possible adopt manifest themselves into larger problems at the
some form of routine scheduled maintenance. If most inconvenient times.
operators already operate this way they should According to international literature, tyre,
continue to do as they would normally. brake, and light faults are most commonly
In addition to the employer’s focus on the featured in roadside inspections and roadside
driver’s health, fitness, and fatigue recovery, the break downs. These negative outcomes could be
drivers need to adopt one of the basic safety avoided if the faults had been remedied before
management concepts, and that is ensuring the the day’s work commenced.
vehicle is fit for service and compliant.
RTANZ NEWS 13Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
New Zealand has a Categorisation of Defects handbook (COD) on
NZTA’s website which categorises vehicle faults by their safety significance
and also provides for different levels of vehicle inspection.
Level 5 is a more in-depth inspection that could typically be used by
workshop personnel as a post-repair workshop exit inspection, and Level 3
is a standard walk around pre-trip inspection
designed to be carried out by the driver.
“Operators
might find it This latter inspection sometimes is included in
some models of log book but NZTA also has
actually saves graphical guidelines that support the pre-trip walk
money and lost around inspection at link:
time down the https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadside-
road.” inspection-guide-heavy-vehicles/
An alternative version can be found at this link:
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/
commercial-toolkit/docs/truck-inspection-guide.pdf
It’s never too late to get started on this approach and operators might
find it actually saves money and lost time down the road.
RTANZ NEWS 14Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Employment Matters
Now is the time to plan ahead
Julie Berry says that the lockdown is a good time for businesses to prepare for the future.
T
he country is on pause, we are all isolated
in bubbles, and the cats and dogs of the
world are rejoicing for all the
companionship they are receiving at this time. In
many ways, COVID-19 has brought people
together and united the world in the fight against
a common enemy.
In New Zealand, it has also highlighted our
dependence on the global supply chain, both in
the money we make by exporting our products
to the world, and at the same time putting under
a microscope how dependent we are on China’s
ability to manufacture and supply our little island
nation at the bottom of the world with the Photo: PlanToo
essentials we need like medical supplies and
pharmaceuticals.
I’m a bit of a planner and a spreadsheet As we contemplate and move into business
jockey. I like nothing more than an ordered list to recovery, are there aspects of this new way of
keep things on track in both my personal and working and engaging with teams that could or
professional life. This pause to life and business should be retained to keep overheads low until
as we know it has given us all a unique things ramp up again? Perhaps some of your
opportunity to STOP and take time to reflect and team would benefit from more flexible working
plan. arrangements with some
Following a bout of Tiktok time spent in the office and
“Remember, our
dance challenges in our some time spent working
lounges, we will soon be in
grandparents were called from home (wearing of
business recovery mode, to war; we are being pajamas while working from
and what that looks like will called to sit on the sofa home could be optional–-
be different for everyone and unless they were required to
every business, with some
and watch movies. We video call!). All it would take
companies being more can do this!” is some consultation and an
heavily impacted than update of existing individual
others. With downtime employment agreements and
available to us, now is the time to prepare, HR policies and this could become a reality.
project ahead, and put plans in place so when For those whose businesses are not
the “play” button is hit we are ready to go. Here conducive to individuals working remotely, are
is some food for thought: there new ways of structuring rosters or shifts to
In an unsettling reversal from my teenage offer employees as many hours as viable to
years, I am now yelling at my parents for going build operations up again to full capacity?
out! We have all been forced into new ways of Employers can get feedback from employees
working. Some businesses whose staff have regarding efficiencies to be had from their on-
had the ability to work from home, have had to the-ground perspective.
look at their use of technology and how to Has this new way of working exposed any
effectively engage with their teams remotely, gaps in training that time in lockdown could be
causing a rediscovery of Zoom conferencing. used to address?
RTANZ NEWS 15Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
For example, do you have more than one helpful as you work your way back to a new
employee who knows how to run payroll and is version of “business as usual”?
there the ability to run payroll remotely? Safe Business Solutions Ltd (SBS) has had
Video and screen conferencing provides the the privilege of working with and assisting many
ability for two people to share a screen, making of you in business as you navigate your way
remote training that much easier. through the impacts of this pandemic, and our
Unlike my home-life continuity plan (a team continues to work remotely in support of
foolproof recipe for “Sanity Pie”—which is just your operations.
your adult beverage of choice sipped alone in a For those of us who are self-isolating in our
closet for 15 minutes—does your business have bubbles: Remember, our grandparents were
a Business Continuity Plan and did the plan live called to war; we are being called to sit on the
up to requirements or does it need some sofa and watch movies. We can do this!
tweaking? Did you even have a Business For those working in essential services: Thank
Continuity Plan at all? you for keeping the country ticking along under
In these treacherous times, I have had to these most challenging of circumstances.
diversify from wine (there is a two-bottle limit at Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if
the supermarket currently) to chocolate. Have you need any assistance—after all we each
opportunities for diversification within your have a part to play in the economic recovery as
business been identified as a result of the we start to work towards the new joint goal of
lockdown and are these viable in the recovery getting New Zealand moving.
phase and beyond?
Did the Individual Employment Agreements * Julie Berry is Safe Business Solutions Ltd’s
you have in place for your employees have HR Adviser & Recruitment Specialist. For
robust clauses in place to cover unforeseen advice or support in employment, Human
disruption or redundancy and do you have HR Resources, recruitment, Health & Safety, or
policies in place to support the employment Business Continuity planning matters, call the
agreements and provide further detail? SBS Team, freephone 0508 424 723.
What do you want your business to look like
going forward? Do you have key personnel
already in place or will you need to recruit?
Would the services of a Business Mentor be
RTANZ NEWS 16Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Ask a lawyer
Working safely in Alert Level 3
By Amanda Douglas
customers opening up, and further care will need
to be taken to ensure that health and safety
measures are in place to protect your drivers,
who will likely be required to attend a greater
variety of sites.
Employers should remember that they have
an obligation to consult and cooperate with other
PCBUs [Person Conducting a Business or
Undertaking] and it is very important, at this time,
to ensure that you have processes in place to
ensure that your workers are safe. Given that
your drivers will be visiting a variety of sites, this
is not a small task for transport operators.
From an employment point of view, you may
T
have had some staff on suspension or reduced
he government has announced the hours. With any change of the Alert Levels, you
restrictions and requirements that will may have new working requirements for your
apply to Alert Level 3. It requires that
employees. We recommend that you consider
people continue to work from home unless that
how you need staff to work and when. If you are
is not possible.
changing the way in which your employees are
Workplaces can only open if: working or being paid, you will
• Workers cannot work from need to go through an
home; and “It is very important, employment process. If you are
• Workplaces are operating at this time, to ensure not yet back at full operations,
safely; and that you have you need to follow your good
• Customers are not allowed on processes in place to faith obligations and be fair when
it comes to selecting those staff
premises; and ensure that your who work and those who do not.
• If businesses cannot operate workers are safe.” Steps to reduce pay, which may
safely, workers must not go to now need to be taken after a
work and premises should remain four-week period of reduced
closed. “Operating safely” means: work, require a process also.
•Complying with Alert Level 3 settings; and These processes involve setting out a
•Meeting appropriate public health requirements proposal and consulting with staff before making
a decision. It is critical that employers do not
including for workers (for example, putting up
take a shortcut with this as it can expose them to
physical barriers); and
a personal grievance.
•Fulfilling all other health and safety obligations.
We have provided answers to many
The transport industry has, of course, been questions in our Q&A sessions on COVID-19
an essential service during Alert Level 4 which are available here.
lockdown. However, given that many customers
Please feel free to also visit our COVID-19
have been unable to operate, there has been a
page here where there are a number of
reduction in work. With a change to Alert Level 3, resources available relating to COVID-19.
the transport industry will see a larger group of
RTANZ NEWS 17Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
We are happy to run an open Q&A via Zoom demonstrating that your business can continue
with RTANZ members and we are scheduling a to operate safely. You should review and update
time with RTANZ. If you can’t attend, a recording your plan on an ongoing basis.
will be made available. To read this article in full please click here.
We have recently provided updated
information on the requirements for businesses
If you have an inquiry, please email
in a health and safety context as they enter
amanda.douglas@wynnwilliams.co.nz.
Level 3.
In short, all businesses should also develop a
plan for working safely. For those who can return
at Alert Level 3 (and who have been operating),
you should be working on this now, if you have
not already done so. For those who need to wait
a bit longer to return to the workplace, you
should also start your preparation and planning
now so that you can discuss and share the plan
with others, such as workers, contractors, and
suppliers, before the work starts.
Your plan will cover a range of factors and
will serve as a record of how you will minimise
the risk of COVID-19 appropriately, as well as
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RTANZ NEWS 18Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Membership benefits
Manage Group — New Zealand’s risk
management experts
M
anage Group is your one-stop shop for • Manage RISK (strategic insurance)
everything to do with risk management. As part of our advocacy work, we will
Here’s how we can help your challenge ACC on certain issues that impact our
business. clients: for example, levy codes and workplace
Our role is “to ensure that businesses are claims. Our work also benefits the general public
treated fairly and equitably”. This is our guiding through policy changes and the wording of
principle which governs all of our decision- legislation.
making. As long as what we are doing aligns with The size of the challenge varies; we are
our motto, we know we are on the right track and currently advocating on behalf of a single
fulfilling our purpose. business, an entire industry, and the general
Manage Group specialises in compliance with public of New Zealand. You can read about our
Government agencies such as ACC and current challenges on our website.
WorkSafe. We explain the rules and regulations Manage Group creates free resources which
in plain English to make you can access via our
sure you understand what website, including monthly
is happening and where
“We explain the rules and blogs, webinars, and
you stand. regulations in plain English to Q&As.
Our process begins make sure you understand We have partnered with
with assessing your risk by what is happening and where industry leaders to produce
examining your record with free webinars focusing on
ACC and recommending
you stand.” COVID-19 and how to get
how you can make back to business with
improvements. Our ACC Savings Review business continuity. The webinars have been
typically results in big savings in ACC levies; at very well received and we’re so pleased we can
present, the average saving is 41 per cent. help New Zealand businesses during this difficult
After we have assessed your business time.
standing with ACC, we may (where applicable) We are more than happy to have a no-
link you to our other three main service pillars obligation chat to see how we can help you.
which are managed by New Zealand’s leading
experts:
• Manage CLAIMS (workplace claims Information: managecompany.co.nz
management) Sue Walton 027 210 4918,
• Manage OSH (health and safety) email: sue@managecompany.co.nz
RTANZ NEWS 19Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Membership benefits
Big savings for members with n3 discounts
T
here are many benefits of being a member and receive the typical discount you are entitled
of RTANZ, such as access to the latest to. (Linking existing accounts as described
information and expert advice. Members above.)
can also make big savings by signing up to
• n3 trade card – receive an instant discount in
business network n3 and using their n3 discount store at point of purchase with various suppliers
card.
RTANZ Membership Benefits Coordinator Vicki When you join n3, you are joining a network of
Harris says she has received a report from n3 on over 15,000 other Kiwi businesses. That’s a lot of
the total amount of savings for RTANZ members negotiating strength. n3 calls it “business buying
for 2019. “The numbers are pretty staggering— power”—but you can call it getting more for less.
$5,028,335 spent and $2,128,752 saved.” n3 says it has sourced the best suppliers New
n3 provides exclusive savings to over 55 Zealand has to offer across just about everything
leading suppliers. For example, you receive 33 per you need to run your business. It has contracts
cent average savings from NZ Safety and 38 per with a wide range of suppliers nationwide.
cent average savings from BOC Gas. You get instant access to exclusive discounts
“If you already have an account with an n3 from suppliers, negotiated by n3 procurement
supplier we can link your existing account so that experts.
any purchases made in the future have the n3 says: “With over 100 years of procurement
discount automatically applied,” says Vicki. “The experience—you can rest easy knowing you are
only thing that will change is the amount you pay.” dealing with the best.”
There are a couple of ways to use n3 for your
For more information, see: n3.co.nz, or call Vicki
benefit:
Harris, 027 534 3848 or 0800 367 782 or email:
• n3 website – locate 55-plus suppliers you can vharris@rtanz.co.nz.
use to obtain quotes, or set up new accounts
RTANZ NEWS 20Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Trucks
Scania kept its workshops open during the Level 4 lockdown to keep the fleet running.
Scania keeps wheels rolling for New Zealand
D
uring these challenging times Scania “We must do everything in our power to
wants to assure its customers that it will ensure that our workshop doors stay open, our
be doing all it can to keep its vehicles spare-parts shelves stay stocked and our
moving around New Zealand to workshops remain operating with
supply essential services. skilled experts to keep the Scania
From grocery, fuel, general
“Our priority as fleet running.
freight, livestock, milk, NZ Post, always is our “Our priority as always is our
refrigerated goods and all people and our people and our customers. We
agriculture transport – the list goes customers.” feel privileged to play a part in
on. helping to keep all New
Scania New Zealand will keep Zealanders safe,” says Lundholm.
its wheels rolling for the country, as long as NZ “Thank you for your support and trust in
legislation allows us and it is in a position to do Scania, and I hope you stay safe during the
so. upcoming weeks as we’re in lockdown in New
Scania New Zealand Managing Director, Zealand. Look after yourself and your families.”
Mattias Lundholm, says that together we have a Scania says it is here for you as always. “We
massive obligation to provide an essential are still operating – just a bit differently – and
national service. can be contacted via 0800 SCAN1A.”
RTANZ NEWS 21Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Time to think about the future
By Scott Asplet, Region Two: Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato
could eventually be the way some businesses will
continue, including parts of the transport industry.
I’m sure there will be more questions, advice,
or assistance required from members. I would like
to encourage you all to read through all email
communications, especially emails we share from
the RTF. This information is our “point of
reference” and contains a lot of the answers to
members’ questions. The RTF, in my opinion, is
doing an outstanding job for the industry.
I have also fielded a few calls from drivers. As
you may know, some drivers opted to stay home
in their bubble with whanau or friends during
Level 4 lockdown. This has given them the time to
think, and discuss their careers. What the future
looks like. What’s important to them. They would
like guidance on what online training is available,
H
ello members, these are definitely some what falls under the free fees from the
challenging and uncertain times for the government, and what is available within the
transport industry, country, and economy. transport industry if they want to advance or re-
With only two days to prepare for Level 4 educate. Obviously the big one: the pay scale and
lockdown and then with only some of our industry hours.
being able to turn their wheel, times have been I was intrigued that the main reason is the
very difficult for many of our members. I have same old chestnut: “I’m over working 70 hours for
received a vast number of calls, minimal pay.” They now realise how
emails, and text messages, not just important whanau is and seek a work
from current Region Two members “Even post- life balance.
but also from non-members and ex- COVID-19 we One thing COVID-19 has taught us
members—highlighting the benefit will still have a all, I believe, is how important our
of belonging to RTANZ. The bubbles are and also our whanau and
feedback from members has been
driver
friends outside of our bubbles. The
positive as we progressed through shortage.” reason I am including this is because,
Level 4. pre COVID-19, we had a driver
I would like to take this shortage. I believe that even though
opportunity to recognise and thank the truck some companies have parked up, we still have a
drivers who have been transporting essential driver shortage. Even post-COVID-19 we will still
goods during the Level 4 lockdown. I believe the have a driver shortage. We struggle to attract
general public will now hopefully recognise the people into our industry, and we also need to be
industry and how important we are in keeping the careful we retain staff. Speaking to these drivers it
country running. Here’s hoping when this is all was quite evident that the love of driving trucks
said and done the drivers get the recognition and may not be the deciding factor anymore. Food for
thanks they deserve. thought.
I would also like to thank those who are
working from their bubble, as this alone can be
challenging at the best of times. Without the Call Scott Asplet on 027 44 55 785,
teams behind the drivers the country would also 0800 367 782, or email: sasplet@rtanz.co.nz
come to a halt. No doubt it’s a sign of the times
with more and more Skype, Zoom, or Team
meetings now taking place, but I believe this
RTANZ NEWS 22Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
Why you need to crunch the numbers
By Sandy Walker, Region Three: Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Wairarapa,
Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki
This is highlighted even more if you operate in
an environment where your business works public
holidays, which many do. Based on a company
working four of those days, paying the average
wage for someone driving a 50MAX vehicle and
doing 100,000-120,000 km per annum, you need
an additional .02c per km for every km travelled
for the year just to cover the wages of one driver
for those four days worked. Stock operators are
continually faced with this, dictated to by the
works on a headage rate. Some are charged a fee
to have this managed and are then paid in 90 days
(if you are lucky after recent events). In fact, I think
most people in business will learn what a 90-day
payment is and why profit is key to survival.
I have had some really neat conversations with
members. As tough as it has been for us all, some
W
ell, who would have thought the world conversations have been humorous and longer
could change so much in a very short than normal as we have discussed everything from
space of time? I was looking at my diary A to Z in a more relaxed environment. This really
and wondering how the hell I was going to fit in all does show that the world needs to slow down and
the events for 2020 and what weekend I was enjoy each other’s company. I think the biggest
going to have off but that became very losers will be the family pets that have never had
manageable overnight. so much attention (or food) and the kids who have
I think we would all agree that being a busy fool never had so much of your time, but not forgetting
does not make you any more money, wears you those that have trooped on through the night
out twice as quick, and you become getting those essential goods
short-tempered and an absolute around the country and fighting for
arse to be around. I think we all
“It is time to be the simple things in life—a loo, a
need to learn what the word “profit” paid for the coffee, and something to eat.
means—the very thing that will get services you Without the intervention of the
you through a rainy day. It is time to RTANZ/RTF they would still be
provide at a fair and closed. One that shone is the Mobil
be paid for the services you provide
at a fair and reasonable rate and reasonable rate.” Truck Stop at Bay View, Napier,
stop this nonsense of competing which opened its loos and served
with losers who run second rate food to essential workers. Thank
equipment (someone’s trade-ins) and compete you on behalf of our industry and all the
against you. professional drivers that you have looked after.
This becomes very evident when doing a cost
model for someone where good business will
always work on Full Replacement Value. Once you Call Sandy Walker on 027 485 6038,
advise the km rate, the usual answer is “We will 0800 367 782, or email: swalker@rtanz.co.nz
never get that.” It is the amount that would replace
a new vehicle with another new vehicle in five
years, versus working on Current Market Value
and replacing a second-hand vehicle with another
second-hand vehicle (dependant on commodity
and kilometres, this does work for some parts of
the industry—usually local contractors doing
minimal kilometres.)
RTANZ NEWS 23Road Transport Association NZ Inc. May 2020
An amazing feat of teamwork
By John Bond, Region Four: Christchurch, North Canterbury, Buller, Nelson, Marlborough
While working from home we have had some
major issues, looking after our essential service
transport operator drivers, who found that all
the toilets and eating houses were closed as
they continued to service the public and local
communities whilst in this crisis.
Immediately, the team got on the phone,
ringing a variety of councils, NZTA, NCTIR, and
local community leaders, outlining the need to
have these facilities opened, to serve the
essential service frontline staff.
On behalf of the Road Transport Association
NZ (RTANZ) and the Road Transport Forum
(RTF), we would like to thank all of those
councils out there that have, in their wisdom,
kept the public toilets open, clean, and serviced
for our drivers travelling the country.
With the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, we
B
y the time you get to read this, we will still are all trying to stay safe and remain at home.
be in lockdown, or we will be just coming However, drivers, who are noticeably keeping
out and starting to rebuild a new economy their 2-metre distance, still require food and
under totally different rules—these rules being water, but more importantly, they needed toilets
looking after one another. and I am so happy that we gradually got toilets
Although one might think that this is not re-opened along nearly every State Highway in
important, in fact it is the most important rule New Zealand. The time it took our team to get in
we need to be living by. Being in isolation has touch with councils, and works managers, so
taught me the value of close family ties, the RTF could co-ordinate the information and
understanding the needs of others, rather than then send it out, was brilliant.
just myself, watching how Each day new toilet blocks came onboard,
each member of my family which allowed our truckies to
was coping and the feel comfortable about solving
frustrations that we
“Looking after one a human need without too
experienced as time went another… is the most much of a worry. Soon, service
on. stations and truck stops
important rule we need to opened their doors, providing
I can say I was very lucky
to have my son and wife be living by.” coffee, toilets, showers,
look after me throughout washing machine facilities,
this whole period. Being in and food, all at the same time
the upper 60 group and abiding by strict safety rules to
having a very weak immune system, they took it protect one another from this deadly virus.
upon themselves to ensure that I did not break This has been an amazing, necessary,
the rules of isolation, did a 45-minute walk each planned, managed, and honorable feat, driven
day, went shopping for me so I would not have by likeminded people supporting one another to
to be exposed in any way, and finally, left me to achieve economic stability, but preventing the
carry out my office work with very little deadly spread of COVID-19.
disruptions.
To be honest, I thought I was in heaven, as I
have never experienced such support in my Call John Bond on 027 444 8136,
entire life and it took this COVID-19 virus to 0800 367 782, or email: jbond@rtanz.co.nz
show me what a very lucky husband and father I
am, so I must thank my family for showing such
love.
RTANZ NEWS 24You can also read
