Product Overview

The Chain of Responsibility Plan is a comprehensive, ready-to-use safety document designed specifically for Australian operations that influence or control road transport activities. It provides a structured framework to help your business meet its work health and safety (WHS) and Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations, while reducing risk across your transport, logistics and related operations.

Developed by WHS specialists, this Plan is ideal for organisations in transport and logistics, warehousing and distribution, mining and resources, manufacturing and production, farming and agriculture, and building and construction. It guides you step by step through the systems, procedures and records needed to demonstrate due diligence and achieve robust WHS compliance.

Key Features

• Clear explanation of roles and responsibilities for officers, managers, workers and contractors in the supply chain.
• Detailed sections on fatigue, speed, mass, dimension and load restraint, aligned with Australian CoR and WHS requirements.
• Practical guidance on scheduling, allocation, loading and unloading, vehicle standards and maintenance.
• Integrated risk management process, including hazard identification, risk assessment, control and review.
• Templates and checklists embedded in the document to support implementation and record-keeping.
• Focus on commercial arrangements and contracts to ensure they do not drive unsafe practices.
• Procedures for incident reporting, investigation, corrective actions and continual improvement.

Benefits

• Strengthens WHS compliance by aligning your transport activities with current Australian legislation and Codes of Practice.
• Reduces the likelihood of serious incidents, regulatory breaches, penalties and reputational damage.
• Saves time by providing a fully drafted, professional Chain of Responsibility Plan ready to tailor to your operations.
• Supports consistent safety documentation across depots, warehouses, sites, farms and projects.
• Demonstrates due diligence to regulators, clients, principal contractors and insurers.
• Improves communication and accountability between schedulers, drivers, loaders, supervisors and management.

Who is this for?

• Transport and logistics operators managing heavy vehicle fleets and subcontractors.
• Warehousing and distribution centres coordinating despatch and receivals.
• Mining and resources companies with on-road haulage or contractor fleets.
• Manufacturing and production businesses arranging regular deliveries and pickups.
• Farming and agricultural enterprises moving produce, livestock, fertiliser and equipment.
• Building and construction firms managing concrete, steel, prefabricated components and plant transport.
• Safety managers, WHS advisers, HR and compliance staff responsible for safety documentation and risk management.

Legislation & References

This Chain of Responsibility Plan has been developed with reference to key Australian work health and safety and transport legislation, including the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), state and territory WHS Acts and Regulations, fatigue management and load restraint requirements, and relevant industry Codes of Practice. While not a substitute for legal advice, it provides a strong, practical foundation to help your business understand and meet its legal duties, embed safer systems of work and continually improve transport-related WHS performance.