RMS takes COR message to civil construction sector

Road authority looks to keep operators up to speed on safety obligations

 

Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is in the midst of a Chain of Responsibility (COR) education program focusing on the civil construction and related road transport.

The New South Wales initiative comes as the state looks to ramp up infrastructure upgrades, with much of it around greater Sydney.

“With a significant increase in the number of infrastructure projects taking place across the state, it is crucial heavy vehicles being operated as part of these projects are compliant with road transport law and any associated risks are properly managed,” an RMS spokesperson says.

“These workshops provide an opportunity to engage with the civil construction industry and help review and understand its obligations regarding the Heavy Vehicle National Law and the ‘chain of responsibility’.

“Chain of responsibility laws are aimed at parties who can direct or influence the behaviour of the driver.

These strong laws focus on ensuring all parties in the ‘chain of responsibility’ take all reasonable steps to ensure the driver complies with the law.

“This means all parties in the supply chain share a responsibility to ensure unsafe practices are eradicated from our road network.

“Last year, Roads and Maritime inspectors carried out more than 550,000 heavy vehicle inspections to improve safety for all road users.

“Targeted enforcement, balanced with education initiatives like these workshops, is helping to change industry culture and practices.

“Roads and Maritime acknowledges the advances achieved by many companies operating in NSW but there is opportunity for improvement in safe road transport practices.

“Any individual in the chain of responsibility who is found to have breached the law regarding mass, dimension, load restraint, driver fatigue and speeding risks fines exceeding $10,000, and suspension or cancellation of vehicle registration and/or driver licence.

“Penalties for corporations are five times the maximum for any individual.”

One workshop has already been held in Baulkham Hills, while the others will be held 9am-11.45am at:

  • Sydney CBD, October 21
  • Newcastle, October 28
  • Rooty Hill, November 13

More information can be gained by emailing roadfreight@rms.nsw.gov.au

 

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