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Meet your Chain of Responsibility obligations with new IPWEA resources

By intouch * posted 16-07-2018 11:17

  

Changes to Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) come into play 1 October 2018. The new laws impose a primary duty on every party in the heavy vehicle transport supply chain to eliminate or minimise potential harm or loss (risk) by doing all that is reasonably practicable to ensure safety.


Stainless-steel-chain_-Industrial-metal-background-811976900_1258x838.jpegSound familiar? Well that’s not surprising, the new laws are very much in line with Workplace Health and Safety Law.

The approach to penalties also reflect WHS. Penalties for breaches of a primary duty are set at a maximum fine of $3 million for a corporation and $300,000 or five years imprisonment, or both, for an individual. The new law will also introduce enforceable undertakings and improvement notices.

These new laws do not only apply to the traditional transport companies moving freight around the country. Operators of diverse fleets such as councils and utility companies must also comply. Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) applies to all persons operating heavy vehicles regardless of the employment status of those involved, for example a volunteer community bus driver and those managing the driver’s activities must comply. HVNL also applies to any vehicle (save rolling stock) over 4.5 tonne operated on the road network. This includes graders, cranes etc.

So, where to start?

Organisations need to take a holistic and coordinated approach to COR compliance and this starts by:
  • Being informed and understanding your obligations
  • Understanding your risks, current systems and level of compliance (a gap analysis)
  • Planning and acting to close the gaps
  • Continually reviewing progress and effectiveness

According to NHVR, the best way to meet Heavy Vehicle National Law obligations is to have safety management systems and controls in place, such as business practices, training, procedures and review processes that:

  • Identify, assess, evaluate, and control risk
  • Manage compliance with speed, fatigue, mass, dimension, loading and vehicle standards requirements through identified best practice
  • Involve regular reporting, including to executive officers
  • Document or record actions taken to manage safety

IPWEA and Latus partner in CoR Safety Management System

In conjunction with industry partner Latus, IPWEA now offer fleet operators a clear pathway to COR compliance by introducing the Chain of Responsibility Safety Management System – CORSaMS

“We know the changes to CoR have raised concerns in our IPWEA community and that we needed to help them meet their obligations. By partnering with industry, we’ve been able to offer resources focused on our industry with the support of transport compliance expert Latus,” says IPWEA CEO Robert Fuller.

CORSaMS is a comprehensive system comprising; frameworks, policy, procedure, training, auditing and certification. CORSaMS is available at three levels:

Basic: an introductory level providing an overview of legislative requirements, an SMS structure and audit standards

Business: includes the Basic level resources plus policies and procedure templates for development by the user, associated training materials, compliance forms and audit standards

Enterprise: includes all Business level resources plus customised work instructions and associated training materials, compliance forms, operator guides, continuous improvement materials, auditing and certification.

CORSaMS provides the materials and support necessary to meet NHVR COR obligations. Once CORSaMS has been implemented to the required standard, IPWEA will issue a CORSaMS – Chain of Responsibility Safety Management System Certificate. Certification is issued annually subject to the client maintaining necessary standards.

According to Latus CEO Mike Wood, “Working with IPWEA to develop CORSaMS provides a practical and industry focused way to assist clients meet their CoR obligations.”

IPWEA National Workshops Chain of Responsibility – a Pathway to Compliance start in August

To provide industry with a detailed understanding of changes to COR, the obligations on various individuals and the application of CORSaMS, IPWEA will be running a series of one-day workshops around Australia. Chain of Responsibility – Pathway to Compliance commences on 15 August 2018. For more information or to register click here.
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