Australia’s peak body for workplace health and safety has received new funding to create training modules and update health and safety guidelines to improve road safety for transport workers.
Transport is among the industries with the highest number of worker fatalities, with 54 transport, postal and warehousing workers having lost their lives in 2024, the most of any sector.
The Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS) will receive crucial funding from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), supported by the Australian Government.
AIHS CEO Julia Whitford says the funding will go towards expanding and updating existing occupational health and safety (OHS) advice and creating educational resources for the transport industry.
“Every worker has the right to go to work and return home safely, and tragically, far too many lives are being lost across transport,” she says.
“This will ensure the OHS Body of Knowledge, which is the framework for health and safety professionals, is updated to reflect current trends, research and practices in occupational road use.
“It is an important tool for safety professionals, educators, policy makers and others involved in transport.”
New chapters will be created to cover a range of topics, including heavy vehicles operations and safety, safety for vulnerable road users, mental health and wellbeing of occupational road users, and investigating occupational vehicle accidents and incidents.
“Interactive online training modules will also be developed, featuring engaging content, practical scenarios and assessments for workers to help deepen their understanding of safety principles,” Whitford says.
NHVR Executive Director Corporate Affairs Michelle Tayler says the AIHS is one of 16 organisations to receive funding as part of a $3.9 million investment in safety projects.
“We look forward to seeing the Australian Institute of Health and Safety’s project come to life to boost heavy vehicle safety standards and practices,” Tayler says.
“The HVSI grants program funds critical industry-led safety projects aimed at reducing road trauma and saving lives on Australia’s roads.”
The project has already begun and will continue through to June 2026.