SGESCO-MAX provides heavy vehicle safety compliance for key projects
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has released its minimum requirements for Contractor Vehicles, effective 26 August 2025, adopting the CLOCS-A safety standards for all heavy vehicles.
CLOCS-A (Construction Logistics and Community Safety – Australia) is a national road safety program targeting heavy vehicle, transport and logistics related risks from major infrastructure projects. It is based on the successful UK program implemented over a decade ago.
The TfNSW minimum requirements are aimed at bringing contractor vehicles, which account for most vehicles working on NSW Government projects, up to the standard of government-owned vehicles, with the aim of reducing fatalities and serious injuries on NSW roads.
The requirements cover general safety, light vehicles, heavy vehicles and plant equipment.
From September 2025 all heavy vehicles working on any NSW tender contract must comply with general safety standards, vehicle registration and roadworthiness, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Code of Practice for Modifications, plus the Bronze level of CLOCS-A. Other tenders may specify or favour the inclusion of Silver or Gold CLOCS-A Standards, likely in line with the classification and value of tenders.
SGESCO-MAX has been preparing for the roll-out of CLOCS-A in Australia for four years, claims Scott McPherson, Managing Director of SGESCO-MAX.
“In 2021 we became the first vehicle safety technology partner of the NRSPP (National Road Safety Partner Program) which was instrumental in bringing the CLOCS standard to Australia and advocating for its adoption by the Australian construction industry,” said Scott.“We are well aware of the safety hazards associated with heavy vehicles, many of which relate to blind spots, and have best in class safety solutions to protect vulnerable road users, civil and construction staff, vehicles and property.”
NEW CLOCS-A STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR HEAVY VEHICLES
With respect to these new CLOCS-A Standards, SGESCO-MAX has the proven safety technology to meet the following requirements:
BRONZE
Minimum mandatory specification for all heavy vehicles. Includes 15 measures and technologies that are relatively low-cost and easy to implement. (Full list available from this PDF on page 17.) Includes:
SILVER
All the Bronze Standards plus 10 additional measures, including:
GOLD
All the Bronze and Silver Standards plus fitment of telematics monitoring and implementation of at least 4 of the 6 recommended technologies., including:
The CLOCS-A requirements are for heavy vehicles working on any NSW government project be that civil, building or infrastructure construction or the delivery of services.
PLANT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
As well as heavy vehicle safety, SGESCO-MAX’s solutions can assist with plant compliance as follows:
According to TfNSW, the new standards are in recognition of major transport, utility and social infrastructure projects in cities, towns, and urban areas generating increased vehicle movements which present significant safety risks to all road users, particularly vulnerable users including pedestrians and cyclists.
TfNSW expects that improving heavy vehicle safety standards on major infrastructure projects will provide road safety benefits to NSW industry and communities, resulting in increasing the safety of the vehicle fleets overall.
With federal, state and territory governments wanting to lower road tolls, introducing standards for improved heavy vehicle safety to protect vulnerable road users was only a matter of time, noted Scott. “Several construction companies have trialled our safety solutions over the past 18 months in readiness for the introduction of new safety standards,” he said.
“Many contractors will be relieved, however, that the technology is now at the stage where it is highly reliable and affordable, so compliances should not be a major impost.”
Scott added that based on interactions with Major Roads Project Victoria, they expected Victoria to shortly introduce similar measures with Queensland to follow, given the development that was underway in preparation for the 2032 Olympics.
“Our message to construction companies is we have proven solutions which meet these CLOCS-A Standard specifications and a dealer network around Australia qualified to install, train and support construction contracting companies. We encourage suppliers to be proactive and install the minimum CLOCS-A Bronze standard so they won’t be disadvantaged when it comes to tenders and will be experienced in how the safety systems operate.”