The National Heavy Vehicle (CoR) laws apply across the whole supply chain. How you engage with the other elements of your supply chain determines your exposure to CoR and OHS liability. Compliance with Codes of Practice in place in your Supply Chain can be the best way to manage your exposure, while providing the basis for a reasonable steps defence.
Many businesses impose contract conditions or working arrangements on supply chain partners. These documents directly expose their business to CoR incidents and CoR fines. Some documents are overridden by the consingor or consignee directly intervening in the supply process, Irrespective of the wording of the documents, this clearly places them and their organisation in breach of CoR laws.
In other cases consignors and consignees have a positive obligation to ensure CoR compliance and “remove” themselves from the process in an attempt to “protect” themselves.
There have been a number of high profiles cases where regulators have fined and prosecuted supply chain partners, separate to any transport company breach.
In some States the OHS inspectors attend site inspections and roadside interceptions in addition to CoR officers and the police. In these cases all three regulators (CoR, Police and OHS) have been known to take action, including issuing fines.
Where a road accident has occurred, there is an increasing level of oversight across all three regulatory areas. This regulatory oversight changes include:
- reduced response time to attend operational and maintenance sites
- early access to administrative sites
- targeting of trucks in transit.
Through reviewing your supply chain CoR Australia can help you locate your weak spots in your CoR Strategy and develop effective management strategies to minimise your risk and improve your CoR compliance.