Law and Chain of Responsibility
All parties in the road transport supply chain are responsible for preventing an
accident. This is called the Chain of Responsibility. Historically, transport laws
have focused on the actions of drivers, while failing to sufficiently recognise
and regulate the actions of other key parties involved. The Chain of Responsibility
laws introduced in recent years recognise and ensure all parties in the chain are
liable for the impact of their actions and inactions.
All parties in the supply chain – the consigner or dispatcher, packer, loader, scheduler,
consignee or receiver, as well as the driver and operator – must take positive steps
to prevent a breach of road transport laws and regulations in regards to mass, packaging,
load restraint dimension, loading, speed, fatigue and work hours.
Simon National Carriers takes all reasonable steps to prevent our actions or conduct
(or the actions of our regional carriers or clients) from causing or contributing
to a breach. We will not make demands that we know will cause a breach and we refuse
to fulfill demands from our clients that will require us to breach legislative requirements.
We will not coerce, induce or encourage breaches and we will not pass on false or
misleading information that could cause a breach.
The Chain of Responsibility is addressed by all participants within our regional
operations network. We will take all reasonable steps to ensure all goods carried
on our behalf comply with State, Territory and National regulations, laws and codes
of practice. And while we commit to ensuring our compliance within the Chain of
Responsibility, we also look to our clients and seek the same commitment from them.
We’ve worked hard to build a culture of safety and compliance. Our systems support
our operations to ensure we meet and exceed all standards within the industry. Simon
National Carriers can say with complete confidence that we meet all of the obligations
required of us under Road Transport Chain of Responsibility regulations.