Tasmania Police will have to ensure vehicles used by country-based officers are kept at a safe and acceptable standard following a court ruling this week.
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The organisation was issued with a provisional infringement notice by the police union over the unsuitability of some of the vehicles used by officers in some rural areas.
Police Association of Tasmania president Colin Riley said some vehicles lacked protection against animal strikes and appropriate driving lights as well as appropriate tyres for handling dirt roads.
He said some of the vehicles were too small for larger officers.
After WorkSafe Tasmania reviewed the notice and removed it, the union sought to have this decision reversed by the Magistrates Court.
Magistrate Reg Marron accepted the union's argument that Tasmania Police had failed to meet their general duty to provide and maintain a safe workplace under the Workplace Health and Safety Act.
Inspector Riley said this meant the improvement notice was justified.
"The magistrate found that Tasmania Police had failed to conduct a risk assessment identifying possible risk to health and safety and failed to consult with workers in accordance with section 47 of the act," he said.
Tasmanian Police has been ordered to undertake a risk assessment on the purchase, selection and allocation of vehicles and consult with workers during this process.