What is Chain of Responsibility (CoR)?
A duty to ensure the safety of transport activities
Under chain of responsibility (COR) laws, if you are named as a party in the chain of responsibility and you exercise (or have the capability of exercising) control or influence over any transport task, you have a responsibility to ensure the HVNL is complied with.
Every party in the heavy vehicle transport supply chain has a duty to ensure the safety of their transport activities. In practical terms, this primary duty represents an obligation to eliminate or minimise potential harm or loss (risk) by doing all that is reasonably practicable to ensure safety. As a party in the supply chain, the best way to do this is to have Safety Management Systems (SMS) and controls in place, such as business practices, training, procedures and review processes that:
- identify, assess, evaluate, and control risk
- manage compliance with speed, fatigue, mass, dimension, loading and vehicle standards requirements through identified best practice
- involve regular reporting, including to executive officers
- document or record actions taken to manage safety
Safety management is managing business activities and applying framework, policies and procedures to help prevent accidents, injuries and minimise risk.
Managing CoR obligations as an employer
As an employer – and key party in the supply chain – the best way to manage your CoR obligations is to have appropriate Safety Management Systems and controls in place for your business and your employees.
These controls may include business practices, training, procedures and review processes that:
- Identify, assess, evaluate, and control risk
- Manage compliance with speed, fatigue, mass, dimension, loading and vehicle standards requirements through identified best practice
- Involve regular reporting, including to executive officers
- Document or record actions taken to manage safety
You must also be aware of any business demands that might directly or indirectly put pressure on other parties in the supply chain, and ensure that individuals are aware that everyone within the supply chain is legally liable if something goes wrong (in accordance with their level of CoR).
