Chain of Responsibility Training

Chain of responsibility is now so wide-ranging and the penalties so severe that it is in the interests of all affected persons and businesses to undergo the appropriate training. This is not just restricted to the transport industry but to all those who are affected by it — which is, really, just about every business.

Since many parties can be considered responsible for offences that are committed during heavy goods vehicle operations, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has advised that they should all take reasonable steps to ensure offences don’t occur. These include:

• identifying all parties involved in the supply chain and assessing their responsibilities
• ensuring drivers have sufficient rest periods and don’t exceed allowed driving hours as well as developing systems to manage fatigue
• keeping vehicles regularly serviced and in good order
• working with partners to eliminate risk and ensuring they all understand the necessary compliance and assurance conditions
• establishing safe packing, loading and unloading procedures so that loads are secure and ensuring they are adhered to at all times
• checking that vehicles are not overweight and are not driven at excessive speed
• questioning any requests that may cause breaches of the law and ensuring they are altered so that they comply.

Legal responsibility can apply to any actions, inactions and demands so it’s not just what you do, it’s also what you ask others to do and what you fail to do. That extends to reporting any Chain of Responsibility issues and taking actions that can include stopping an activity, reviewing and assessing the risk, making changes to operate safely and creating systems to ensure future breaches don’t occur.

Records need to be kept to prove that issues have been dealt with and action taken to prevent a reoccurrence. Only by doing things properly can you guard against possible action under Chain of Responsibility legislation.

Like most legislation, Chain of Responsibility changes periodically and so you need to keep up-to-date to avoid inadvertent breaches. Regular training and updates can ensure this and make you fully aware of your responsibilities so you don’t fall foul of the law.