This Fatigue Management & Work Diary SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) sets out the practical, day-to-day steps a heavy vehicle driver takes to manage fatigue and meet work and rest hour requirements under the Heavy Vehicle National Law Standard Hours option. It covers fitness for duty, filling in a work diary or electronic record, recognising fatigue, taking rest breaks, correcting entries and responding to a compliance check. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Transport and freight companies
Owner-drivers and subcontract truck drivers
Livestock and rural carriers
Removalists and delivery businesses
Construction and earthmoving businesses running heavy vehicles
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Slower reactions, poor judgement and lost concentration from fatigue
Microsleeps and loss of vehicle control
Missing or delaying a rest break to meet a delivery time
Higher fatigue risk in the early morning and mid-afternoon
Incomplete, inaccurate or late work diary entries
Enforcement action from false, misleading or missing entries
Driving on while fatigued because of schedule pressure
What's included
7 pre-operational checks, from fitness for duty and the applicable work and rest hour option to trip planning and diary entries
An 11-step operating procedure covering diary entries, signs of fatigue, rest breaks, circadian low periods, schedule pressure and correcting entries
Isolation guidance for parking safely for rest breaks and stopping when fatigue is detected
5 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for microsleeps, fatigue-related incidents, compliance checks by an authorised officer and diary errors
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Transport & Warehousing SOP Bundle. At $197 for the whole bundle, it works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Which work and rest hour option does it cover?
It covers the Standard Hours option under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. Fatigue laws differ between states and territories, so drivers confirm which apply to the vehicle and trip, including any cross-border trip.
Does it cover rostering and fatigue accreditation?
No. How rosters, schedules and fitness for duty checks are planned, and accreditation under a fatigue management scheme, sit in a separate Fatigue Management (Heavy Vehicle) procedure. Load restraint and chain of responsibility are also covered separately.
Does it explain how to correct a work diary mistake?
Yes. It sets out the approved method: cross out and initial a paper entry or use the correction function of an electronic work diary, and never erase, alter after the fact or leave an entry blank.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
