The code that keeps heavy vehicles safe on the highway has been updated, with the release of a discussion paper on the Chain of Responsibility by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and National Transport Commission.

The Chain of Responsibility paper is part the new Heavy Vehicle National Law, a nationwide logistics industry regulation overhaul to provide an equitable and effective way to stay safe across supply chains.

“COR [Chain of Responsibility] is the legal foundation upon which supply chain safety is maintained and strengthened and so it is essential the new Heavy Vehicle National Law contains robust COR provisions which are effective, appropriate and fair,” said Michael Kilgariff, ALC Managing Director.

Mr Kilgariff says the Code applies to the wide range of activities within the supply chain, including COR, fatigue, speeding and load management and assists signatories to implement positive actions to prevent breaches of the law.

Organisers are trying to make it as smooth a shift as possible for most states, “Codes of Practice already registered in states and territories will transition to the HVNL and continue to have their current status in the state/territory in which they were registered,” Mr Kilgariff said, “receiving formal recognition under the Heavy Vehicle National Law as a ‘reasonable steps defence’ will provide Code participants with greater assurance that they are meeting their COR requirements.”

A copy of the Discussion paper can be accessed online.