Training for drivers who arrive first at road incidents

HEAVY vehicle truck drivers are regularly the first to arrive on the scene at road crashes on rural and regional roads. These drivers face often confronting situations that require them to provide emergency support and first aid prior to the arrival of emergency service authorities. Due to the geographical nature of Queensland and the distances truck drivers cover, they are more likely to be placed in a situation where they are first on scene on our rural and regional roads.

A recent survey undertaken indicates that 70 per cent of regional and remote area heavy vehicle drivers report having been first on the scene of a road crash. Fifty percent of these drivers report having provided first aid for more than an hour before medical help arrived.

To support truck drivers, the Queensland Trucking Association Ltd (QTA), in partnership with the Motor

Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) have been facilitating ‘First on Scene: Remote Incident Training for Heavy Vehicle Drivers’ training sessions around Queensland. Griffith University are also working in collaboration with QTA and MAIC to conduct a project and outcome evaluation.

To complement face-toface training sessions, and to ensure that more drivers can receive the training, the QTA are developing Toolbox Talk Presentation which can be delivered from the Depot. This practical session will be designed to provide drivers with the top safety tips when arriving first on scene.

A concise Glovebox Guide is also part of the resource package which will be available to all drivers who participate in the Toolbox Talk Sessions.

“We are pleased to be rolling out this training to support our heavy vehicle drivers and we want to ensure that more drivers can do the training,” said Gary Mahon, QTA chief executive officer.

“The training sessions attended by drivers so far indicate there is a high volume of drivers who have been first on scene at least three or more times.

“This reinforces the importance of this First on Scene training and the development of the Toolbox Talk presentation resource. Ensuring that a driver’s immediate safety is looked after in these circumstances is of paramount importance and well considered in the training material. Post-incident support is another vitally important component that is covered.”

The QTA is also encouraging drivers who have had experience being first on scene to participate in the research being conducted. Senior lecturer Dr Darren Wishart has a wealth of experience conducting road safety research projects and is keen to talk with drivers who will share their experiences. Dr Darren Wishart can be contacted via 07 3735 1206 | d.wishart@griffith.edu.au

Further face-to-face training sessions are scheduled for delivery on the Gold Coast

(August 30), Mackay (July 10), and Townsville (October 16-17).

Bookings can be made through https://www.qta. com.au/events. To express interest in receiving the First on Scene Toolbox Talk Presentation, please scan the QR code on the right.