Dr Kim Hassall: Leading safety and professional development in transport and logistics
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) plays a pivotal role in advancing professional standards across the global logistics and transport sectors. Recently, Dr Kim Hassall was appointed as the new CILT International Vice-President, succeeding Fiona Knight.
During his visit to Wellington recently, Dr Hassall shared insights on key safety initiatives undertaken by CILT Australia, with a particular focus on the Construction Logistics and Community Safety Standard (CLOCS-A), an initiative that could offer significant benefits to New Zealand’s transport and logistics landscape.
Dr Hassall’s extensive background in transport and logistics policy, professional development, and research positions him as a leading advocate for industry progress. With over a decade as Chair of Education and Professional Development at CILT Australia, and as its immediate past Chair, he has been instrumental in shaping policies and training programmes that enhance safety and efficiency within the sector.
Beyond CILT, Dr Hassall has worked closely with government bodies and academic institutions, helping develop frameworks such as Australia’s National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework. His leadership in performance-based standards (PBS) for high-productivity vehicles has driven significant road safety improvements and cost efficiencies. With Australia projected to prevent 193 fatalities by 2033 due to PBS implementations, his efforts demonstrate the tangible impact of informed transport policy.
Bringing CLOCS-A to New Zealand
One of the key messages of Dr Hassall’s presentation was the potential application of CLOCS-A in New Zealand. This initiative, which evolved from the UK’s original CLOCS standard, was developed in response to high fatality rates among vulnerable road users, particularly during London’s infrastructure boom leading up to the 2012 Olympics. The standard establishes rigorous safety requirements for any road-going vehicles operating in construction zones, ensuring safer interactions between trucks, cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users.
In Australia, CLOCS-A has been progressively adopted, with New South Wales making it mandatory for large infrastructure projects and other states, including Victoria and Queensland, preparing to follow suit. The CLOCS-A team was led by CILT Australia’s Chief Executive Karyn Welsh and former International Vice President Fiona Knight, both of whom have initiated the groundwork in bringing CLOCS-A exposure to New Zealand.
The success of the initiative lies in its enforceability – companies that fail to meet CLOCS-A accreditation simply cannot tender for major projects. The benefits have been measurable, with reported reductions in road fatalities and serious injuries.
For New Zealand, Dr Hassall believes that adapting CLOCS-A would be a straightforward but impactful step. He pointed out that while New Zealand has seen fewer construction transport-related fatalities, even a single preventable death is one too many. The adoption of CLOCS-A, with adjustments tailored to local conditions, could significantly enhance road safety for vulnerable users. Additionally, the initiative aligns well with existing New Zealand transport policies and safety frameworks, making integration relatively seamless.
The implementation of CLOCS-A in Australia required extensive collaboration across four key working groups: driver skills, vehicle technical standards, logistics coordination, and marketing/PR. Dr Hassall emphasised that a similar multi-disciplinary approach would be essential for New Zealand.
While CLOCS-A is a major focus, Dr Hassall also highlighted broader transport and logistics initiatives in which CILT Australia has been involved. One such initiative is the PBS scheme mentioned above.
Additionally, Dr Hassall touched on the restructuring of Australia’s Heavy Vehicle Licensing system, a comprehensive reform designed to modernise training and certification processes. These efforts align with CILT’s core mission: promoting continuous professional development and ensuring that transport professionals are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to operate safely and efficiently.
Another key takeaway from Dr Hassall’s visit was the potential introduction of professional certification programmes in New Zealand. Currently, only two CILT chapters – Australia and Singapore – offer specialised professional designations, including Certified Practicing Logistician, Certified Transport Planner, and Certified Passenger Professional. These certifications provide industry recognition for professionals in freight, transport planning, and passenger services.
There is great potential for these certifications in New Zealand, particularly given strong industry interest at past conferences, Dr Hassell says. He emphasises that certification would remain open to all professionals, not just CILT members, making it an accessible and valuable credential for the wider transport community.