Chain of Responsibility (CoR) 


Understanding one’s role within the supply chain is essential for ensuring that the safety management system complies with the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and the Chain of Responsibility obligations. If you engage in any of the transport activities as defined by the HVNL, you are obligated to adhere to specific responsibilities and legal requirements that must be met. Each of the following Transport Activities has obligations for the elements of the HVNL, those elements being Speed, Fatigue, Mass and dimension, Loading, and Vehicle Standards.

Please be aware that while the RWTA permits the use of the resources provided, it does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information contained within for your company. We recommend that members seek independent legal advice to ensure the suitability of this information for their specific needs. The RWTA assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions in this information.

+ Consignor
  1. You have agreed to and been named as a consignor in the documentation for the road transport of the goods.
  2. You request an operator of the heavy transport vehicle (directly, indirectly or through their representative) to transport the goods by road.
  3. You load a vehicle with the goods (and the goods are in your possession or control) immediately before the operator transports them.
  4. You load a vehicle with the goods for road transport at an unattended storage/collection location. The goods are stored, or temporarily held waiting for collection.
    Note: This storage/collection location would be unattended, other than by the vehicle’s driver or someone else necessary for the normal use of the vehicle, during loading.
  5. The goods are imported into Australia and you are the importer.
+ Consignee
  1. You have agreed to and been named as a consignee in the documentation for the road transport of the goods.
  2. You receive the goods after road transport (but not merely the unloader).

Note: In some circumstances, this also applies when acting through an agent or intermediary.

+ Loader/Unloader
  1. You load or unload goods in or from a heavy vehicle.
  2. You load or unload the vehicle or any container that is in or part of the vehicle.
  3. You load or unload the vehicle with a freight container (whether or not it contains goods for road transport).
+ Packer
  1. You pack goods AND:
    • You put goods into packaging.
    • You assemble goods in an outer packaging (e.g., mixed products bundled on a pallet).
    • You supervise, manage, or control packaging.
+ Employer of a Driver

You employ someone to drive a heavy vehicle (including casual, permanent, part-time, contract driving, and labour hire).

+ Operator of a Heavy Vehicle

You control or direct the use of a heavy vehicle. (Usually known as the shipper of the carrier).

+ Scheduler
  1. You schedule the transport of goods or passengers.
  2. You schedule the work/rest times of a heavy vehicle driver.
+ Loading Manager

You are a person who manages, or is responsible for the operation of, regular loading or unloading premises for heavy vehicles where the goods are:

  • Loaded onto the heavy vehicle.
  • Unloaded from the heavy vehicle.

A person who has been assigned by a person mentioned above as responsible for supervising, managing, or controlling, directly or indirectly, activities carried out by a loader or unloader of goods at regular loading or unloading premises for heavy vehicles.

COR Documents

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