Those Responsible for Training May be Held Liable for COR Ignorance

At the recent Australian Logistics Council (ALC) Forum 2015, approx 300 delegates heard views about the standards and awareness of training and assessment deliverables in the industry.

The training of employees and contractors in Chain of Responsibility legislation and responsibilities has become more important than ever, especially in the light of recent tragic accidents, and the swelling numbers of NHVR inspectors out in force.   

A recent article on Fullyloaded.com.au reported that bulk haulage operator Tony Noske of Noske Logistics told a CoR panel that whilst some improvement in areas of the market have been witnessed, there are still some areas that are severely lacking.

Noske highlighted the high level of ignorance that exists among some sectors of the industry. He says attitudes will only change when they are forced to change, either by a bad accident or a compliance blitz.

Noske went on to discuss what he says will overcome the problem of ignorance of CoR, namely full engagement in CoR which is driven from the top at both ends of the contract, client and service provider – and the awareness that the responsibility does not lie with one entity alone.

Noske wasn’t the only one of this opinion. His position was supported by Qube health, safety and environment general manager Belinda Flynn, who reminded delegates that this was one of the action points from last year’s ALC safety forum.

To quote the Fullyloaded.com.au article, which highlights the industry problem:

“Alarmingly, there appears to be a lack of appreciation of the power of COR legislation that extends into oversight of training.”

Source: http://www.fullyloaded.com.au

One of our directors, Steve Asnicar, was in attendance at the event, and Steve contributed that his company has come across training firms that have clearly fallen short of the rigour  and stringency needed for training in the complex and critical field of logistics safety. As a result these training firms have subsequently been reported to the relevant regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

According Mr. Asnicar, there are at least five training providers that he believes should be ordered to cancel qualifications and have their clients retested by more comprehensive and compliant trainers.

The post goes on to explain Asnicar’s view,

Though it is understood ASQA has a different view of its responsibility, he believes transport and logistics firms are in receipt of faulty certificates and that in the event of an accident, COR reaches as far as ASQA, given that this body has been made aware of the problem.

Read more at: http://www.fullyloaded.com.au

Asnicar believes that state and federal government departments should also be held to the same CoR regulations. He advises that this may need to be addressed by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

Find out more about CoR legislation and compliance here.