Product Overview

Summary: This Fatigue Management for Towing Operators SOP sets out a clear, practical system to prevent fatigue-related incidents on and off the road. It helps towing businesses meet their WHS and Heavy Vehicle National Law obligations while protecting drivers, other road users, and your company’s reputation.

Towing operators work long, irregular hours, often in high‑stress, time‑critical situations on busy roads and in all weather conditions. Fatigue is one of the most significant safety risks in this environment, contributing to poor decision‑making, slower reaction times, and serious road crashes. This Fatigue Management for Towing Operators Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, evidence‑based approach to identifying, monitoring, and controlling fatigue risks across your towing operations.

The SOP translates Australian WHS and heavy vehicle fatigue requirements into clear, day‑to‑day practices for drivers, dispatchers, and managers. It covers planning of rosters and call‑outs, work and rest limits, fit‑for‑duty checks, in‑shift monitoring, and escalation steps when fatigue is identified. It also outlines how to manage peak periods (such as holiday traffic or severe weather events), long‑distance recoveries, and after‑hours emergency call‑outs without compromising safety. By implementing this procedure, towing businesses can demonstrate due diligence, reduce crash risk, support driver wellbeing, and create a consistent, defensible approach to fatigue management that stands up to regulator and client scrutiny.

This document is designed to be easily integrated into existing safety management systems, induction programs, and toolbox talks. It helps standardise expectations across employees, contractors, and subcontractors, and provides clear records and documentation requirements to support Chain of Responsibility compliance under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

Key Benefits

• Reduce fatigue‑related incidents, near misses, and crashes involving tow trucks and recovery vehicles.
• Ensure alignment with WHS duties and Heavy Vehicle National Law fatigue management obligations for towing operations.
• Standardise fit‑for‑duty checks, rostering practices, and call‑out allocation across all depots and shifts.
• Support driver health and wellbeing by setting clear limits on work hours, rest breaks, and night‑time work.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, insurers, and major clients through documented fatigue management processes.

Who is this for?

• Towing Operators
• Heavy Vehicle Tow Truck Drivers
• Towing Company Owners
• Operations Managers (Towing and Recovery)
• Dispatch and Allocations Coordinators
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Fleet Managers
• Compliance and Risk Managers
• HR Managers in Transport and Logistics
• Roadside Assistance Team Leaders

Hazards Addressed

• Driver fatigue leading to reduced alertness and microsleeps while driving to and from jobs
• Reduced reaction time and poor decision‑making when working on or near live traffic
• Increased crash risk during night‑time, long‑distance, or extended recovery operations
• Physical and mental strain from irregular hours, on‑call duties, and high‑stress emergency call‑outs
• Complacency and inattention during loading, securing, and unloading vehicles due to tiredness
• Heat stress or cold stress compounding fatigue during roadside operations in extreme weather
• Manual handling injuries exacerbated by tiredness and reduced coordination

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Fatigue, Work Time, Rest Breaks, Call‑Out, High‑Risk Tasks)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Drivers, Dispatch, Supervisors, Management)
• 4.0 Legal and Regulatory Requirements for Fatigue Management in Towing
• 5.0 Fatigue Risk Factors Specific to Towing Operations
• 6.0 Fit‑for‑Duty Assessment and Pre‑Start Checks
• 7.0 Work, Rest and Break Requirements for Towing Operators
• 8.0 Rostering, Call‑Out and Overtime Management
• 9.0 In‑Shift Fatigue Monitoring and Early Warning Signs
• 10.0 Control Measures for High‑Risk Situations (Night Work, Long‑Distance, Severe Weather, Peak Periods)
• 11.0 Procedures When a Driver is Fatigued or Unfit for Duty
• 12.0 Communication Protocols Between Drivers, Dispatch and Supervisors
• 13.0 Recordkeeping, Logs and Documentation Requirements
• 14.0 Training, Competency and Induction Requirements
• 15.0 Consultation with Workers and Issue Resolution
• 16.0 Incident, Near‑Miss and Non‑Compliance Reporting Related to Fatigue
• 17.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the Fatigue Management System
• 18.0 References and Supporting Documents

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and relevant state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and equivalent state and territory regulations
• Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Heavy Vehicle (Fatigue Management) National Regulation
• National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) – Fatigue Management (including work and rest hours and Chain of Responsibility duties)
• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Managing the Risk of Fatigue at Work
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• Austroads and state road authority guidance on managing heavy vehicle driver fatigue