July 2013Volume 4, No 5

Monthly Newsletter

TheGazette

As if their little manufacturing hub were not busy enough, clothing production students at Great Southern Institute of Technology took on an extra challenge for winter – and our youngest community members are enjoying the benefits.The group of students, all people with

disability, attend the institute as part of Certificates II and III in Clothing Production.During the four-week project, the group

made 46 snuggly winter baby blankets, and then handed them to Albany Salvation Army Captains Niall and Michelle Gibson for distribution to the needy.Charities and community groups regularly

receive a boost from items made by the institute’s clothing production students, and

the baby blanket project has become an annual event.The blankets are made in a variety of

pastel colours and each has a warm knit backing. The stunning patchwork blankets are cleverly constructed from remnants of fabric left over from other clothing production projects, a technique which not only looks attractive, but also aligns with the institute’s sustainability policy of waste reduction. Finishing is as important as the

construction, and every blanket is carefully inspected before being passed for distribution and finally having its laundry care tag attached.

Continued on page 2

Community project ‘a blessing’

At the handover of the baby blankets to the Salvation Army are Clothing Production Lecturer Robyn Wills, Elizabeth Hudson, Joshua van der Wal, Captains Niall and Michelle Gibson, Katie Bell, Tabetha Feltus and Samala Ghosh (front).

Great Southern Gazette 2

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CommunityCONTRIBUTION

From page 1GSIT Clothing Production

Lecturer Robyn Wills said she was proud of the students, who had worked hard on the blankets to produce as many as possible in the four weeks without sacrificing quality.“They were particularly

pleased to hand them over to Captain Gibson, knowing the Salvation Army will give them to people who will be grateful for a little extra winter warmth for their babies,” Robyn said.Captain Michelle

Gibson admired the high standard of work and the commitment of the

students, who had shown a strong desire to help those less fortunate.She was also grateful for

the blankets, which she said would make a big difference to the lives of people struggling to keep warm this winter.“People’s faces lit up

last time we gave them blankets – they are very well received and appreciated,” Captain Michelle Gibson told the students.“We provide the blankets

to expectant and new mothers for emergency relief,” she explained.“They are a blessing.”Captain Niall Gibson

said demand was always greater at this time of year, so this donation would help to boost stocks and answer the call from the community.

Community project ‘a blessing’

Great Southern Gazette 3

Pampering for devoted grandies

Right: Kellee

Brennan gives Tricia

Richards a soothing

facial.

For a group of people who spend their time caring for others, a pamper session with Great Southern Institute of Technology beauty therapy students was a relaxing and therapeutic reward.All are members of Wanslea’s Grandcare

group for people with full-time care of their grandchildren.Member and facilitator Aishya Mason

explained the group met once a month while the children were at school.“We get together for outings and for

nurturing ourselves,” Aishya said.Manicures, pedicures, facials and massage

fit nicely into the group’s philosophy, so the visitors took time out on a cold winter morning to relax in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of GSIT’s beauty salon and enjoy those services carried out by the enthusiastic students.Frances Thomas, sitting back with her feet

enclosed in a seaweed mask and wrapped in plastic, said it felt beautiful."I'd definitely recommend it," Frances

smiled.Jenny Gaylard was being treated to a

manicure, having her fingernails clipped, buffed and polished, and Tricia Richards was indulging in a soothing and revitalising facial.Aishya said the group planned to come

again.“It was fantastic, every single person

absolutely loved it,” she said.“We all went away very happy.”

Frances Thomas enjoys a pedicure with Rhea Hickson.

Left: Jenny Gaylard gets a manicure from Bonnie Ralph.

Great Southern Gazette 4

I extend a warm welcome to Bill Swetman, who has joined the institute this week and will serve as Acting Managing Director while I am on long service leave.This is a busy time as I hand over to Bill

and introduce him to as many of you as possible – regional campus visits, a meeting with the Executive Management Team, a meeting and dinner with the Governing Council, portfolio reviews and a walk around the Albany campus are all packed into this week.As I pass on the baton, I’m comfortable

leaving the institute in Bill’s capable hands. I’m also confident we will sail through our reregistration audit with the backing of our quality team supervised by Brendon Donaldson, under the eagle eye of Bill, who previously managed the Training Accreditation Council (TAC).

Invalid EnrolmentsCongratulations to all who were

responsible for us achieving a nil errors result in our recent Invalid Enrolments Audit. This means the lecturers, the Portfolio Administration and Support Officers, and Data Administrator Mark Draper were spot on with the roll audits. This is an excellent team effort, and I thank you all for your diligence.

Records managementWe welcome Tarmla Cook, our new

records management officer, and send a big thank you to Carolyn Heffernan, who has single-handedly kept the records section ticking over brilliantly for two months. Tarmla has a great volume of work ahead – particularly since the institute is going to become electronic from top to bottom by the end of 2014. Tarmla will organise TRIM training for all administration staff before the end of the year.

PACDThe committee for our whole-of-institute

PACD in 2014 has been working to ensure everyone has a productive day. We do need more lecturing staff on the

committee, as it is important that lecturers are happy with the direction we are taking, so if you are interested, please talk to Ed Armstrong.Once the PACD schedule has been

finalised, it will be published in The Gazette.

HRDavid Hansen and I have completed

our visits to regional campuses and we plan another visit in Semester 2. David is working on the regional campuses’ recommendations for PACD.Capital worksThe Skills Development Centre’s shed

is rising like a phoenix on the south side of Anson Road. It’s very exciting to see the fast construction, which should mean we can start training delivery at the new building in August. See the photos on page 13.The Health Sciences and Community

Services building project is progressing, but what do you know – the new road has become waterlogged! However, the engineers are working on the issues and they have assured me the problems will not delay the project.Exciting plans have been drawn up and

endorsed for the refurbishment of the Library Resource Centre. Construction is due to start in November and be completed in time for the new academic year. This will provide students with a modern electronic multimedia environment which will link in to all campuses.

FinanceKen McKinnon is our new finance

manager, who started on 8 July. He has to be a great bloke because he is a motorbike rider – his penchant is for Moto Guzzi, but I’ll forgive him for that. Welcome, Ken.

From the MD’s Desk

Great Southern Gazette 5

Skills Development CentreTo complete Verification of Competencies

(VOCs), Industry Training Consultant Ken Clark and Hospitality Lecturer Andrea Gallagher recently travelled to the Pilbara.This is a great money-spinner for us, so

thank you to Ken and Andrea.

Business and Creative IndustriesCongratulations to Business Lecturer

Gillian Hazel, who reached the semi-finals of the WA Training Awards in the Trainer of the Year category. Gillian made a presentation to a panel in Perth, so we wait with bated breath to hear if she has made the finals.As part of their assessment, Diploma of

Project Management students will host a Project Management conference in November. A real coup for the students was the acceptance of their invitation to speak at the event from Australian Institute of Project Management Director of Benchmark Projects Australasia Chris Carman, who was project director of the Albany Waterfront Project.

Communication and The ArtsThe Noongar Language Program is

progressing, and a lecturer has been recruited for delivery in the prison.This year, prison delivery has been

realigned with qualifications deemed to answer the skills shortage or to have realistic employment outcomes.The portfolio has been liaising with local

high schools to prepare for changes in the WACE to take effect in 2015, when a greater number of school students will be required to complete a Certificate II qualification.The VETiS brochure for 2014 is currently

being prepared for distribution to schools.

The Environment and Primary IndustriesPortfolio Manager Neil Binning attended

a conference with the National Centre for Dairy Education Australia in Melbourne. Moodle resources, annual reports and a trainers’ workshop were on the agenda.

Trades and Allied IndustriesLecturers’ liaison with industry has

brought valuable feedback for the portfolio. Automotive Lecturer Paul Taylor visited automotive workshops in the region to promote traineeships and apprenticeships, and Hairdressing Lecturer Jodi Remaj is conducting a project to gain industry support for hairdressing pre-apprenticeships.

Health Sciences and Community ServicesThe institute is no longer joined at the

hip with St John Ambulance as we have developed our own course. This will allow us to deliver into markets which have been closed due to contractual arrangements.

LeaveThis is my last column until I return in mid-

October, so I’d like to thank you for your hard work this year so far.My last duty before I take off on my 10-

week adventure is to drive to Perth with Bill on Friday, 26 July. I will then hand him my car, my house keys

and my corporate credit card account. Bill is looking forward to taking over as Acting Managing Director.My best wishes go to Bill, and to all staff

and students.

Happy reading, Lidia

Bright sparks – here’s your chance to shineYou may have noticed the yellow suggestions box on the intranet – it’s below your favourite pages.

If you have any bright ideas for improving our services to our customers or colleagues, click on the box to send an email.

Your idea might be about streamlining a

process, reporting faults, or saving resources.Your email will be forwarded to the appropriate

section for the necessary research and consideration.

Not all suggestions will be appropriate for action, but you will receive acknowledgement and you will be advised if your idea is adopted.

Great Southern Gazette 6

Fine food a feast for five sensesStudents of the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery whipped up a perfect entrée to the new semester with an impressive menu in the institute’s training restaurant, George’s.Chef for the night was

Dassen Velangany, who conducted the cooking and service of each dish and kept the proceedings ticking over like a well-oiled machine. The students clearly enjoyed

the buzz of serving diners in the busy restaurant, with discipline and concentration keeping them on track while they cooked and served the table d’hôte menu offering two choices for each of three courses.Phone 9892 8807 to

reserve a table in George’s Restaurant.

Above: Joseph Santia plates the scallop entrée.Below left: Molbert Mahinay sears the scallops on the hotplate.Below right: The finished dish – Seared Scallops with Chorizo.Bottom right: The second entrée, Cheese and Bacon Roulade.

Main courses on page 7, desserts on page 8

Great Southern Gazette 7

Main Courses From page 6

Above left: Dassen Velangany was chef for the night.Above: Pork Roulade.Below left: Kim Steicke prepares garnishes.Bottom left: Roo Ragout.Below: Sarin Soy cooks the vegetables.

Desserts on page 8

Great Southern Gazette 8

Above left: Brandy snaps filled with chocolate coffee mousse and served with a raspberry coulis.Above: Tracey Masson puts the finishing touches to the brandy snaps.Below: Almond and Pear Flan.

Mark Allen with his Almond and Pear Flan.

Desserts From page 7

Great Southern Gazette 9

The on-campus Certificate III in Education Support students celebrated their achievements at an end-of-term lunch. The 15 students have been doing

placement in 12 schools in Albany and one in Wellstead. Half of the students have secured

relief work already, reflecting the employability skills they have gained

during their studies. Some of the students will continue in Semester 2 with the Certificate IV in Education Support. Both students and lecturers enjoyed

a successful semester. Another group of qualified education assistants are now ready to enter the workforce. – Lizzie Bigwood, Lisa Hassell and

Rebecca Lovitt

End-of-term lunch celebration

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Great Southern Gazette 10

Icing in pink, green, blue, yellow and orange. Chocolate drops, raspberries, banana, blueberries, raisins, speckles and nuts. Muffins, cupcakes, biscuits, rock cakes and macarons. All these sensual delights laid out in a

sugar-kissed spread of sticky splendour recently enticed dozens of Great Southern Institute of Technology staff and students to make a beeline to a cake stall in D Block.

But while waistlines might have suffered, the sweet treats were all in a good cause.The cake stall idea was cooked up by

a group of students of Certificate III in Business, who chose the project as part of their unit ‘Promote Innovation in a Team Environment’.Business Lecturer Leaya Bailey explained

the students had elected to use their skills as a team to raise funds for a charity, and a

cake drive had been their favoured method.Leaya said the students had a term to

complete the unit, which had included choosing their project, planning activities, promoting the event and serving customers on the day.

The students were delighted that they raised $374, which will go to help children in Third World countries through the Operation Christmas Child project run by the charity Samaritan’s Purse.Between serving customers and handing

out promotional material to boost the cause, student Sharon Morton said she had suggested to the close-knit group that the funds went to support Operation Christmas Child, and they had all embraced the idea and thrown their weight behind the project.

Continued on next page

Students show their sweet side

Business Lecturer Leaya Bailey with students Stephanie Burke, Sharon Morton, Kate Walmsley, Sam Charles and Anastasia Kladieva with the Operation Christmas Child boxes they will fill with goodies bought with the proceeds from their cake stall.

Great Southern Gazette 11

From previous pageAs part of the Operation Christmas Child

initiative, donors are asked to fill a shoebox with toys, an item of clothing, toiletries and school stationery suitable for a child in a developing nation, and label the box according to the contents.“These are then sent to Perth, where

volunteers go through the boxes to make sure the contents are appropriate before they are sent overseas for the children,” Sharon said.“Each child only ever receives one box, so

the contents are very precious to them,” she said.“Most of them don’t have much, so when

they are given items such as a tennis ball or a hairbrush, they are ecstatic, and exercise books, pencils and sharpeners are precious to them.”Cake stall funds will be used to fill several

boxes to brighten the lives of these children.The event was the culmination of weeks of

planning, designing posters to publicise the event, emailing all GSIT’s Albany campus staff to garner support, putting up signs to point the way to the goodies – and baking and selling the cakes, which were all priced between $1 and $2.

Leaya said the way in which the students had taken up the challenge reflected the positive attitude they would take into the workforce.“They are full of enthusiasm,” Leaya said.

Anastasia Kladieva serves a chocolate brownie.

You can help Operation Christmas ChildOur own Anne Pinchen, assets and supplies officer at the institute’s Albany campus, can provide you with a box to fill if you would like to join in this amazing project – and bring joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world.Each box (about the size of a shoebox)

contains suggestions for the best items to put in. You can even register your box online and follow its progress.Anne says filling a box can cost about

$50, and donors are also asked to contribute to the cost of transport, which is about $10. All packaging should be removed, and instructions with each box advise you what not to include.Choosing items to fill a box can be great

fun. It is suggested each box contains:• Something to wear (T-shirt, shorts,

skirt, underwear, cap, beanie, sandals)

• Something to love (Soft toy, teddy)• Something for school (Exercise books,

lead and coloured pencils, pens, crayons, sharpener, eraser, chalk, pencil case)

• Something to play with (Bouncy ball, cars, skipping rope, marbles, farm or zoo animals, musical instrument, yoyo, slinky, finger puppets)

• Something for hygiene (Toothbrush, soap, face washer, brush, comb, hair elastics)

• Something special (Carry bag, sunglasses, bangles, necklaces, clips, scrunchies, craft kits, stickers, a personal note, a photo of yourself).

See Anne and start filling your Operation Christmas Child box. Visit http://operationchristmaschild.org.au/

for more information on the project.

Great Southern Gazette 12

R Block gourmand John Maddison got his spuds in early and now harvests sweet potato tops (camote) grown from cuttings at the back of the aquaculture grow-out area.The growing tips of the plant as well as

the tuber have been a sustainable staple in the diet of many nations. Not commonly

known, however, is that the growing tips are also edible. The camote tops are

usually stir-fried and used in similar ways to other Asian vegetables.

The plants can be propagated from the tuber or from cuttings.If you see our cleaning supervisor Bing on

campus you could ask for cooking hints …

with Neil Augustson

Seeds of Sustainability

Spud tips an Asian stir-fry treat

John Maddison harvests sweet potato tops. The passionfruit growing up the wall is fed and watered from the overflow of protein skimmers used in the aquaculture grow-out system.

Applications are now invited for the Louisa Alessandri Memorial Fund Scholarship, to be awarded in February 2014. This scholarship is to assist a student with

a physical disability or a visual or hearing impairment to achieve his or her career aspirations. Funds may be used for a variety of

purposes, including course fees, equipment,

support, interpreters and transport. The closing date for applications is 30

September. This merit-based scholarship is awarded by the Dr Louisa Alessandri Memorial Fund (LAMF) Committee, based at the Telethon Institute.For more information, visit: http://www.

childhealthresearch.org.au/study-with-us/scholarships,-fellowships-awards.aspx.

Access All Areaswith Wendy Macliver Scholarship opportunity

Great Southern Gazette 13

Shed goes ahead in leaps and boundsJune 25 July 9

July 19

Since work started on the Skills Development Centre’s shed in June, the construction has gone ahead in leaps and bounds.The shed, which covers nearly 800 square metres and is about 10 metres

high, is located on the south side of Anson Road, behind the trade workshops.Once construction is completed, specialised equipment and racking will be

installed and course delivery will start in August.The shed will be used for delivery of high-risk training, including scaffolding,

rigging, forklift, elevating work platform and crane operation.

July 19

Great Southern Gazette 14

Quality document updatesThe following Quality Documents have been deleted, added and updated on the Intranet:

Deleted:ASRD029 RPL Frequently Asked QuestionsASRD030 RPL AdministrationHR004 Transfer procedure Incorporated into new POCS068 Transfer policy and procedureHR014 Evacuation procedure Incorporated into new CSRD030 Albany Emergency Management PlanHR024 Secondment procedure Incorporated into new POCS067 Secondment policy and procedureHR033 Leave Without Pay procedure Incorporated into reviewed POCS026 Leave Liability Management PolicyQFCS0136 ICT Change Control Request

New:ASRD023 ASRI User Guide – ATM Introduction and TPO ManagementCSRD030 Albany Emergency Management PlanPOCS067 Secondment policy and procedurePOCS068 Transfer policy and procedureQFAS0123 Return to Industry Application FormQFCS0181 Leave Without Pay Application form

Reviewed and Updated:POAS013 Assessment Policy Added: Evidence Summary, Making and Recording Judgements of Competence, Student Feedback Sign-off, Listed Documents to be kept as Evidence.POAS014 Return to Industry Substantial changesPOCS002 Conflict of Interest – General policy Included a Conflict of Interest RegisterPOCS026 Leave Liability Management Policy Substantial changesPOSP011 AQTF Responsibilities Updated QFAS0093 Trainee/Employer Information form UpdatedQFAS0104 Student Induction Checklist Checklist simplifiedQFSP0012 Academic Board Project Assignment form Minor changes, now user friendlyQP021 VET in Schools Management Substantial changesQP022 MOA for Auspicing AQF Qualification Substantial changesP027 VET in Schools Profile Substantial changes

If you come across any Quality Document that contains out-of-date information please let Caro Saunders know (ext. 8742).

Great Southern Gazette 15

Healthy eating plays a major role in our wellbeing and affects our weight and risk of chronic disease. The Australian Dietary Guidelines provide evidence-based advice about what, and how much, we should eat for health.

Are you eating for health? Here’s a quick quiz for adults.• Eat at least five serves of vegetables

every day (a serve is ½ cup cooked vegetables or 1 cup salad)

• Eat at least two serves of fruit every day (a serve is one medium piece or two small pieces of fresh fruit, or one cup of chopped or canned fruit – no added sugar)

• Have at least two serves of reduced fat milk, yoghurt, cheese or alternatives every day

• Eat mostly wholegrain cereals• Eat at least a small serve of lean meat

or chicken (fat and skin cut off) or fish, or eggs or some nuts or legumes every day

• Drink plenty of water every day and limit drinks with added sugars

• Limit takeaway foods to once a week or less

• Limit store-bought cakes, muffins, pastries, pies and biscuits to once a week or less

• Limit salty foods such as processed meats, crisps and salty snacks to once a week or less, and avoid adding salt during cooking or at the table

• Drink no more than two standard drinks containing alcohol on any one day.

How did you rate? (1 point per box ticked)8-10 points: Congratulations, you’re already a pretty healthy eater!6-8 points: Keep going, you’re nearly there!4-6 points: There’s plenty of room for improvement.Less than 4: It’s time for a serious overhaul.[Adapted from the Australian Dietary Guidelines]Try to add vegetables to every meal; roast or barbecue them for a side dish, grate or chop them to add to a main meal, and use as a filling in a salad or roll for lunch. Variety is key – the more colours and types of vegetables you can fit in, the better. To find out more about the Australian Dietary Guidelines, see www.eatforhealth.gov.au.

Next month – Healthy eating in winter

This column courtesy of Great Southern Population Health. For more information, phone 9842 7500 (Albany) or 9821 6287 (Katanning).

Eating for health

Great Southern Gazette 16

HR NewsWith Paula Pattinson

In the last month we have lost some well-loved colleagues, but gained some new ones who I'm sure will love the GSIT environment just as much.

Positions Advertised• L2 Desktop Support Officers (2 positions) – successful applicants were Daniel Bailey

and Sam Elliott.• L5 Skills Development Business Manager – successful applicant was Natasha

Henderson.• Internal EOI – L3 Portfolio Admin Officer, Communications and The Arts – successful

applicant was Jaime Eatt.• Lecturer Occupational Health and Safety – successful applicant was Bern Mardell.• Lecturer Local Government – advertised vacancy cancelled, Mark Weller now

staying on.• EOI Principal Lecturer AQTF – applications closed 27 June.• EOI Portfolio Support Officer – Communications and The Arts. Successful applicant

was Amy Jo de Jong.• EOI Portfolio Manager – Communications and The Arts. Successful applicant was

Brendon Donaldson.• EOI Customer Service Officers (2-3 staff to job share 1.0 FTE) – applications close

on 25 July. Congratulations to all those successful in winning positions.

ASL appointmentsCongratulations go to the following who were recently successful in ASL progression:• Rod Connell, ASL1 Lecturer Coordinator Try Tech Programs• Brad Eastough, ASL1 Building and Construction• Karen Robinson, ASL1 Nursing• Cathy Glen, ASL1 Tourism and Events• Will Griffiths, ASL2 Literacy• Leanne Rowe, ASL2 Training and Assessment• Gill Hazel, ASL2 Business

New staff• Bill Swetman, Acting Managing Director, commenced 22 July.• Ken McKinnon, Manager Financial Services, commenced on 8 July.• Tarmla Cook, Records Management Coordinator, commenced 18 July.Welcome to our new team members!

Long-term absences and staff movements• Lidia Rozlapa, Managing Director, travelling the USA from 29 July to 11 October.• Chris Jones, Director Student Services, on leave and cycling across the USA, due to

return on 1 October.• Justine Bradney, Portfolio Manager Communications and The Arts, on leave from 1

August to 6 September.Continued on next page

Great Southern Gazette 17

Staff are reminded that there are various pathways open to them to resolve workplace issues and some of the more common issues and pathways to resolve are summarised on our intranet under ‘Grievances’. The pathways to follow depend on the

nature of the problem. In addition to this, the institute has

two separate consultative committees and staff may refer any issues that fall

within the terms of reference to those committees for consideration. The terms of reference are displayed

on our intranet and staff may refer an issue by contacting any of the committee members.Lastly, we have a panel of counsellors

available to staff to provide employee assistance services and their details are shown on our intranet under ‘Counselling’.

– HR Manager David Hansen

From previous page• Gill Hazel, ASL2 Lecturer Business, on LSL from 22 July to 27 September• Jenny Tetlow, Manager Business Systems, successful in obtaining a secondment to

Population Health, Albany until 31 January, 2014. Congratulations, Jenny.• Mark Draper has relocated into Jenny's office to assist the Business Systems team.• Di Madden returning from leave on 12 August.• Neil Binning on LSL from 30 September to 19 December.• Donna Blight returning from leave on 29 July.• Mel Bishop, ASL2 Training and Assessment, on LSL for Term 3, Leanne Rowe

relieving.• Terri Michael, PAO Communication and The Arts, on leave from 15 July to 11

October, Jaime Eatt relieving.

Staff exiting• Helen Polette, Senior Finance and Budgeting Officer, retired on 10 July. We wish

Helen a fabulous retirement filled with fun, family and relaxation.• Paul Dollery, Principal Lecturer AQTF, retired on 28 June. Congratulations to Paul,

who is no doubt going to enjoy a lot of travel and adventure with his lovely wife, Lynda.

• Janine Augustson, Lecturer Allied Health and Leisure Health, resigned as of 5 July. We bid a fond farewell to those leaving the institute.

Dealing with workplace issues

Do you have a idea for an article in The Gazette?

Email marketing@gsinstitute.wa.edu.au

Great Southern Gazette 18

Driver fatigue is a factor in approximately one-third of all casualty crashes. Tired drivers are less alert, have reduced

reaction times and their ability to safely negotiate a dangerous situation is diminished. Many people think fatigue is only a

problem for long-distance drivers, but it is just as relevant for short-distance drivers. People generally don't become fatigued

from driving, usually they are already tired when they get behind the wheel.

Fatigue indicators include:• Not feeling refreshed after sleep.• A greater tendency to fall asleep while at

work.

• More frequent naps during leisure hours.• Feelings of sleepiness.• Extended sleep during days off.• Increased errors and loss of

concentration at work. • Snoring and sleep apnoea.More than 60 per cent of all fatigue-related crashes happen within two hours of the start of the trip.If you’re at risk, discuss your concerns with your OSH rep or manager before your next trip.

Relevant Documents on the intranet:• Vehicle Safety Management Guide.• Vehicle Policy and Procedure.• Office of Road Safety WA.

Safety First

With Rick Muller

The region’s silent killer

1. Avoid beginning a trip at the end of a full working day.

6. Allow fresh air to continually circulate through the car’s cabin.

2.Get a good night’s sleep before you leave on a long trip (a trip of 90 minutes or more).

7. Eat proper and well-balanced meals, preferably at your normal mealtimes.

3. Avoid high-risk fatigue driving times – times when you would normally be asleep (such as 1am-6am) or in the afternoon (2pm-4pm) when your biological time clock makes you feel tired.

8. Take a power nap if you are tired – even a short sleep (15 minutes) can significantly reduce your chances of a fatigue-related accident.

4. Allow plenty of time and schedule regular breaks outside the vehicle – 10 -15 minutes of rest every 90 minutes.

9. Don’t drive while taking medication that may affect your driving – check the labels.

5. Share the driving with another person if possible.

10. Plan not to travel for more than six to eight hours in any one day.

Top ten tips for avoiding fatigue