Chain of Responsibility (CoR) Heavy Vehicles

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VTS can create prioritised action plans to assist in your business’s compliance journey.

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The Chain of Responsibility (CoR) means every time your business transports goods using a heavy vehicle (over 4.5 tonnes), regardless of industry, you become part of the chain and have a shared responsibility.

With changes to the National Heavy Vehicle Law (NHVL) coming into force on 1 October 2018, including the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) legislation, the need for safety compliance and accountability has moved to a whole new level.

This means your business must have safety systems and controls in place to identify, assess, and manage risks relating to your supply chain activities. The four main areas of compliance are:

• Speed
• Fatigue Management
• Mass, Dimension and Load Restraint
• Vehicle Standards

The NHVL is designed to stop business practices or demands that cause a driver to undertake journeys unsafely. As a business, you have a legal obligation to stay informed about risks to your heavy vehicle transport activities and take steps to minimise or eliminate those risks.

VTS has experienced consultants who can work with you to develop a compliant safety management system, ensuring everyone in your chain understands the policies, procedures, and obligations required to stay compliant.

Areas your business may need to review include:

• Implementing good business management, monitoring, safety practices, and worker training to avoid breaches of fatigue or speed regulations.
• Ensuring loads are properly weighed, measured, and secured.
• Conducting regular vehicle checks and maintenance to ensure vehicles are safe and roadworthy.
• Setting realistic and achievable delivery schedules that account for distance and driving conditions.
• Managing loading and unloading times to prevent driver delays.
• Ensuring goods are packed securely to prevent load shifts.
• Advising management promptly about any delays or delivery issues.
• Regularly engaging with other parties in the supply chain to ensure safe practices.
• Drafting contracts that require chain participants to comply with the law.
• Conducting regular risk assessments and hazard reviews.
• Documenting driver activities, vehicle inspections, journey times, scheduling, and delivery outcomes.