❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses air quality monitoring at the City Busport, driver behavior regarding idling buses, and adherence to Transperth policies. The Minister confirms monitoring, releases results showing compliance, and states existing policies address idling.
AnsweredQoN 876Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Further to the answer to my question of 22 September 2004 concerning the air quality at the City Busport, I ask - (1) Has the program of monitoring air quality at the busport during peak hours commenced yet? (2) If so, will the minister release the results? (3) If not, when will the monitoring commence? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the engines of all buses transiting through the busport are still left running in between rides? (5) Does the minister accept that it is standard practice for drivers to lock and leave their buses with the motors running while they take a break? (6) Will the minister take decisive action to change driver behaviour in relation to parts (4) and (5)? Hon KEN TRAVERS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(1) Has the program of monitoring air quality at the busport during peak hours commenced yet? (2) If so, will the minister release the results? (3) If not, when will the monitoring commence? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the engines of all buses transiting through the busport are still left running in between rides? (5) Does the minister accept that it is standard practice for drivers to lock and leave their buses with the motors running while they take a break? (6) Will the minister take decisive action to change driver behaviour in relation to parts (4) and (5)? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(2) If so, will the minister release the results? (3) If not, when will the monitoring commence? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the engines of all buses transiting through the busport are still left running in between rides? (5) Does the minister accept that it is standard practice for drivers to lock and leave their buses with the motors running while they take a break? (6) Will the minister take decisive action to change driver behaviour in relation to parts (4) and (5)? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(3) If not, when will the monitoring commence? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the engines of all buses transiting through the busport are still left running in between rides? (5) Does the minister accept that it is standard practice for drivers to lock and leave their buses with the motors running while they take a break? (6) Will the minister take decisive action to change driver behaviour in relation to parts (4) and (5)? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(4) Does the minister acknowledge that the engines of all buses transiting through the busport are still left running in between rides? (5) Does the minister accept that it is standard practice for drivers to lock and leave their buses with the motors running while they take a break? (6) Will the minister take decisive action to change driver behaviour in relation to parts (4) and (5)? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(5) Does the minister accept that it is standard practice for drivers to lock and leave their buses with the motors running while they take a break? (6) Will the minister take decisive action to change driver behaviour in relation to parts (4) and (5)? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(6) Will the minister take decisive action to change driver behaviour in relation to parts (4) and (5)? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(1) Has the program of monitoring air quality at the busport during peak hours commenced yet? (2) If so, will the minister release the results? (3) If not, when will the monitoring commence? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the engines of all buses transiting through the busport are still left running in between rides? (5) Does the minister accept that it is standard practice for drivers to lock and leave their buses with the motors running while they take a break? (6) Will the minister take decisive action to change driver behaviour in relation to parts (4) and (5)? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(2) If so, will the minister release the results? (3) If not, when will the monitoring commence? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the engines of all buses transiting through the busport are still left running in between rides? (5) Does the minister accept that it is standard practice for drivers to lock and leave their buses with the motors running while they take a break? (6) Will the minister take decisive action to change driver behaviour in relation to parts (4) and (5)? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(3) If not, when will the monitoring commence? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the engines of all buses transiting through the busport are still left running in between rides? (5) Does the minister accept that it is standard practice for drivers to lock and leave their buses with the motors running while they take a break? (6) Will the minister take decisive action to change driver behaviour in relation to parts (4) and (5)? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(4) Does the minister acknowledge that the engines of all buses transiting through the busport are still left running in between rides? (5) Does the minister accept that it is standard practice for drivers to lock and leave their buses with the motors running while they take a break? (6) Will the minister take decisive action to change driver behaviour in relation to parts (4) and (5)? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(5) Does the minister accept that it is standard practice for drivers to lock and leave their buses with the motors running while they take a break? (6) Will the minister take decisive action to change driver behaviour in relation to parts (4) and (5)? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(6) Will the minister take decisive action to change driver behaviour in relation to parts (4) and (5)? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(1) Yes. (2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(2) Analysis conducted by MPL Health, Safety and Environmental Solutions to the requirements of AS 3640-2004 “Workplace atmospheres - Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of inhalable dust” indicates that all levels recorded are well below the recommended exposure level of 10 milligrams per square metre for a time weighted average based on an eight-hour exposure, as detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. (3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(3) Not applicable. (4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(4) It is Transperth policy for bus drivers to turn off engines while at a terminus. Overriding this policy, there may be genuine operational circumstances in which a driver may choose to idle the bus to maintain cooling or heating for the comfort of passengers. (5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(5) No; this contravenes Transperth policy. (6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
(6) Transperth currently monitors these issues for compliance, and will continue to instruct Transperth contractors to meet these requirements.
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