Primary producers have a responsibility to ensure goods they send or receive via a heavy transport vehicle are delivered safely and adhere to Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), says leading legal firm Creevey Russell Lawyers.
Creevey Russell Principal Dan Creevey said the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) recognises the important role growers, farmers and fishermen play in feeding Australians and providing quality produce to overseas markets.
Mr Creevey said primary producers, as parties in the road transport supply chain, will have specific obligations under the HVNL, which commences on July 1, 2018, to adhere to the ‘Chain of Responsibility (CoR)’ to ensure safety by preventing a breach of the law.
“This requires each party in the supply chain with the ability to control or influence the transport activity to take positive steps to prevent mass, load restraint, dimension, fatigue and speed offences,” he said.
“As a primary producer, any time you send or receive goods using a vehicle that can carry more than 4.5 tonnes – regardless of whether the vehicle is yours or someone else’s – you become part of the supply chain. You therefore have a shared responsibility to prevent breaches of the law.”
Mr Creevey said it was important for primary producers to work with their transporters and fully understand the requirements of the HVNL.
“Avoid making demands of transporters that may lead to speeding, driving while tired or overloading and ensure all loads are within legal limits and properly restrained. If you’re using your own truck, make sure it’s maintained to a roadworthy standard.”
For more information on the HVNL and CoR, visit www.nhvr.gov.au/cor.
Further inquiries:
Dan Creevey (07) 4617 8777
About Creevey Russell Lawyers
Creevey Russell Lawyers is a full service law firm which operates primarily from our Brisbane practice, with the capacity to provide superior legal services to western Queensland through our Toowoomba practice. Creevey Russell Lawyers deliver results to a variety of clients including developers, corporations, accountants, liquidators and private clientele.