Rio Tinto spend over A$500 million with WA businesses

The Truck Friendly caravan road safety program not only helps educate on safe caravan towing practices, but it also helps educate on how to build a cooperative and friendly working relationship with other road users including the truck drivers.

The program’s founder Ken Wilson says, “While I am one of the first to point out, no driver, no matter what they drive, is perfect, I have found most people want to help others and do the right thing. We often only hear about the bad ones.”

The ‘I’M TRUCK FRIENDLY’ sticker program is where ‘qualifying drivers’ of RVs or towing a caravan can obtain a free 30cm round green I’M Truck Friendly’ sticker for the rear of their van or RV. Only drivers who have a UHF radio installed, have read and understand the Truck Friendly driving guides from the web site and want to help other drivers qualify for a free sticker.

“When a truck or other driver comes up behind another vehicle, RV or caravan on the highways, ‘life is like a box of chocolates’, you never know what sort of driver you’re going to get. They may be courteous and know how to assist the truck driver. They may think they know what to do, but do the wrong thing, or they may be just plan ignorant, selfish, and not give a dam about road safety and other road users,” says Ken. “These stickers identify the ones who want to help and know how to help. They stand out from the crowd.

“Truck drivers can then call them up on the UHF and work together to safety overtake, making for a less stressful and dangerous manoeuvre. Drivers are encouraged to build a cooperative and friendly relationship via the UHF chat and by their actions with other drivers.

“While there are many aspects and causes of mental health issues with truck drivers, my belief is that a major cause may be that the drivers live a largely solitary life on the road, with more time to think and over-think problems and concerns than is healthy? Without regular distractions or positive reinforcement, the negative thoughts grow to unhealthy levels.

“Helping stop the negative thought R io Tinto has to date awarded contracts valued at over $385 million (A$500 million) to local WA and Pilbara Aboriginal businesses to support the latest development of its Greater Tom Price Operations.

Construction of the Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 (WTS2) expansion commenced in early 2020 and to date more than 85 per cent of spending on the project has been awarded to local businesses, directly through Rio Tinto or their principal contractor Mondium.

At peak construction, development will support a workforce of over 1,000 people with the majority employed by WA businesses, including Guma Warnii, Monadelphous, Mondium, Kerman Contracting, Whittens, North West Mining & Civil, MACA Civil, Linkforce and Aerison.

Rio Tinto approved the $749 million (A$1 billion) investment in the mine in November 2019 to sustain production capacity of its iron ore business in the Pilbara. The investment allows for the mining of existing and new deposits at WTS2 and includes construction of a new crusher and a 13-kilometre conveyor which will help lower greenhouse gas emissions from the mine by 3.5 per cent compared to road haulage.

First production from the new deposits at WTS2 is expected in the second half of 2021.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore managing director of Pilbara Mines, Matthew Holcz, said Rio Tinto’s commitment to Tom Price and regional communities remains as strong as ever.

“Tom Price is the birthplace of Western Australia’s iron ore industry and more than 50 years later this $749 million (A$1 billion) investment in the Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 expansion will underpin the viability of this proud town for decades to come.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore currently employs more than 50 per cent of workers living in Tom Price and this latest development will extend employment opportunities into the future.

cycle early, before drivers reach the stage of needing help, I assume, must be a positive step in the right direction.

“This negativity can be reinforced by the bad or inconsiderate behaviour of other drivers, holding up traffic, accelerating at overtaking lanes and such like. This can and has, lead to anxiety, aggressive and dangerous driving practices, especially when held up by slower drivers, not enabling the truck driver to gain maximum driving distance from their restricted driving regulated hours.

“The simple act of seeing a supportive sticker (I’m Truck Friendly), and a friendly person on the other end of a UHF conversation offering to help the truck driver, I believe, must help to break the cycle of negative thoughts.

“I know most of the truckies I have helped while towing my caravan, reply with a cheerful, “Thanks mate”, “Stay safe” or “Wish there were more like you.” This will assist in giving the truck driver and you, something ‘nice’ and ‘positive’ to think about for the next few km’s breaking the negative thought cycle.

“Not only does the on-road cooperation help with breaking the negative cycle, but it also assists the truck driver make it easier to make deadlines and help arrive home to family and friends safely and on time. Being held up on the roads as a truck driver can mean spending a compulsory regulation rest break at a truck stop/rest area instead of watching the children’s school concert or family time at home. All factors in mental health causes.

“While there is much to be done to help our fellow road users, and I do not profess to have the magic bullet, there is always something small, that when combined with other small ‘nice’ things may help stop the problem before it grows to dangerous levels. A smile and a friendly wave can work miracles. Every bit helps,” finishes Ken

For more on the Truck Friendly sticker program visit www.truckfriendly.com.au * Thanks to the ABC and Dr Pritchard for the above information. www.abc.net.au/ news/2020-11-22/qld-mental-health-crisissuicide-research-truck-drivers/12866904