National Safe Work Month

Driving blind? It’s a grave choice

Did you know that if you glance at your mobile phone for even two seconds while driving at 60 km/h you can travel some 33 metres blind? 

Driving and operating vehicles is crucial to the commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry, but it needs to be done responsibly. Vehicle safety is important in every workplace, not just for drivers but for those around them too. 

The stats: 

• You are four times more likely to crash when using your mobile phone while driving
• The top four causes of fatal car accidents in Australia are distractions, driver fatigue, speeding and alcohol consumption 
• Vehicle collisions accounted for almost one in three work-related deaths in Australia in 2017
• Machinery operators and drivers have the highest work-related fatality rate in Australia.

If you drive a fleet van or any other vehicle for work, then vehicle safety practices, maintenance and training are essential to keeping your team and workplace safe. 

Read our helpful articles and guides

Downloads and resources

At the AMCA health and safety is our number one priority, therefore we’ve developed an industry-leading Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) specifically for businesses operating in the Australian heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry. 

Available exclusively to AMCA member companies, it contains a comprehensive suite of policies, procedures, forms and advisory notes covering the range of healthy and safety risks and responsibilities faced by members.

Hard copy and digital versions are available, and can be tailored with member company logos and contact details to make it easy to adopt across their business.

Most importantly, the manual has been contextualised to suit the legislative and regulatory requirements in every state and territory of operation. Automatic notifications and document revisions are issued whenever there is a change in state requirements, ensuring AMCA members always remain up to date. 

As a bonus, AMCA members may also access our new Health and Safety Management Software, which creates Site-Specific Safety Plans for each project. ‘Train the trainer’ sessions are also available to help members implement the new system. 

AMCA members not currently using the Health and Safety Management System are encouraged to contact their local AMCA state office.

Interested in becoming a member? Complete a membership enquiry or contact us to find out how the AMCA can help your business stay up to date with regulatory changes affecting the HVAC industry.

Put vehicle safety first

If you have to get behind the wheel for your job, make sure you are up to date with work vehicle safety practices, maintenance and training. 

This vehicle safety campaign is run by the Air Conditioning & Mechanical Contractors’ Association (AMCA) for National Safe Work Month 2019.

Driving blind? It’s a grave choice.