Chain of
Responsibility Law

ENSURING THE Safety OF ALL TRANSPORT ACTIVITIES ON AUSTRALIAN ROADS

The Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws in Australia dictate that the duty to comply with transport laws is shared among all parties involved in the road transport supply chain.

It is not limited to drivers but extends to anyone participating in transport activities.

Under these laws, all parties are responsible for ensuring the safe operation of transport activities and can be held legally liable in case of any breaches

Parties in the Chain of Responsibility

The following parties are included in the Chain of Responsibility:

Company directors

Senior management team members

Driver employers

Drivers

Schedulers

Individuals responsible for loading and unloading vehicles (including any goods in the vehicle)

Consignors or consignees

Prime contractors for a vehicle (in cases where drivers are self-employed)

Obligations and Compliance

Transport operators must demonstrate their commitment to meeting their obligations under the Chain of Responsibility. This involves proactively monitoring and managing driver behaviour and ensuring compliance with speed, fatigue, mass, dimension, and loading standards or actions.

Key Obligations and Potential Breaches

It’s crucial to understand your obligations to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. Breaches can occur in the following instances:

Fatigue Management

Drivers failing to adhere to fatigue management requirements.

Speeding

Drivers exceeding speed limits.

Mass or Dimension Limits

Vehicle exceeding allowable mass or dimension limits.

Loading Requirements

Failure to meet proper loading requirements.

Vehicle Maintenance

Vehicles not maintained according to roadworthy standards.

Compliance with Chain of Responsibility laws is essential for all parties involved in the road transport industry. Understanding your obligations and proactively monitoring and managing driver behaviour is crucial to ensure safety and avoid penalties. By adhering to speed, fatigue, mass, dimension, and loading standards, transport operators can demonstrate their commitment to compliance and safe operations of the heavy vehicle national law.

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