Chain of Responsibility, often abbreviated as CoR, is part of the national road laws designed to ensure all parties in the logistics chain using heavy vehicles (HV) have clear roles and responsibilities. Compared to the past when police primarily focused on truck drivers for compliance with road laws.
In this article, we will summarise the key roles for Reid Stockfeeds staff, customers, suppliers, and contractors involved in the supply of raw materials, storage and handling, and transport of our products.
Who Has CoR Responsibilities?
The CoR laws assign specific responsibilities for:
Consignee eg receiver or customer
Consignor eg those who engage a HV operator
Employers
Executive Officers even if not on site
Scheduler and Planner
Packer eg assemble and place loads in containers or batches
Loader / Unloader eg refuellers, and crane and forklift drivers
Loading Manager / Supervisor
Operator eg responsible for controlling HV eg carrier, transport firm, shipper
Prime Contractors eg engage HV driver even if not on site
Note: It is possible for you to have more than one CoR role eg receiver and employer, and for others to share the same responsibility.
The practical CoR roles in our industry include:
Employ a heavy vehicle driver (employer)
Engage someone to drive a heavy vehicle under a contract for services (prime contractor)
Direct the control and use of a heavy vehicle (operator of trucking firm)
Schedule the transport of goods in a heavy vehicle, or schedule a driver’s work and rest hours (scheduler)
Consign goods for transport by a heavy vehicle (consignor)
Receive goods delivered by a heavy vehicle (customer /consignee)
Pack or assemble goods for transport in a heavy vehicle (warehouse/depot packer)
Manage premises where HV are loaded or unloaded(loading manager)
Load or unload a heavy vehicle
As you can see from the above list, more than half the CoR functions relate to people and businesses that do not own or operate a heavy vehicle.
You may ask why drivers aren’t listed above? An employed driver is not a party in the CoR because they drive. Drivers have other duties and HVNL obligations. However, when a driver is performing a CoR function – such as loading / unloading a heavy vehicle, then the driver (and their employer) are ‘loaders’ and are parties in the CoR.
Below are some general examples of the obligations that various parties have:
EMPLOYER /MANAGER/SUPERVISOR
The person who operates or manages the business that is dispatching the goods must ensure that:
Drivers’ work and rest times, are recorded and that those records are kept;
Rosters are planned to ensure that drivers do not exceed the permitted number of driving hours;
Vehicle monitoring and speed limiters are working;
Driver is not fatigued
Loads do not exceed dimension or mass limits;
Loads are properly restrained;
Correct training, recruitment, forms, documentation and policies are in place e.g. having a drug and alcohol policy and testing program, a fitness for work declaration;
Equipment and technology are up-to-date;
Premises or vehicles are modified as required for safe operation;
Audits or inspections are undertaken;
Safety management system is in place.
SCHEDULER:
The person who schedules the transportation must ensure that the schedule allows the driver to:
Stay within the speed limit;
Keep within the permitted number of driving hours; and
have minimum rest periods.
LOADER & LOAD MANAGER:
The person who co-ordinates or loads goods into a heavy vehicle must ensure:
Vehicle and load remains within dimension and mass limits; and
Is stable and not able to move or fall eg properly restrained.
PACKER
The person who packs goods into a vehicle must:
Ensure any goods packed in freight containers are within the container’s gross weight or safety approval rating.
Document the loads and make sure that the documentation is accurate;
DRIVER:
A driver of a heavy vehicle must ensure:
That the vehicle is in good safe operating condition;
Vehicle remains within the dimension or mass limits;
The load is properly restrained;
All required equipment is appropriately fitted to the vehicle;
Take the required rest breaks;
Observe driving hours and all traffic regulations eg speed limits; and
Drive safely and responsibly.
CUSTOMER / RECEIVER:
The person who is responsible for ordering or accepting the delivery must ensure:
Consignor (and driver) are provided with safe delivery instructions eg entry, traffic routes and unloading area and facilities;
Unloading area is safe;
Unloading delayed if unsafe eg dangerous weather conditions;
Planned loads don’t exceed vehicle dimension or mass limits;
Planned delivery will not encourage driver to exceed permitted driving hours or speed limits.
“It’s important to remember that no matter where you fit in the CoR, your legal duty remains the safety of your transport activities.”
If a traffic accident or need for a CoR review occurs the HV authorities will investigate if each party with CoR responsibilities have satisfied their duties, as explained above.
We believe correct implementation of the CoR will benefit the safety and productivity of all parties in the logistics chain, and reduce un-necessary effort and cost for all.
Looking for a high carbohydrate grain supplement to feed your ewes during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy; why don’t you give us a call and have a chat to one of our nutritionist on 1300 REID FEED or enquire here >
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