A simple mistake on the part of a truck driver can lead to huge negative consequences on the road. Chain of Responsibility training provides an integrated educational package to solve this problem. It primarily focuses on exploring the entire chain of command so that road safety can be improved. In addition to this, the training helps to devise strategies so that the fatigue of truck drivers can be efficiently and effectively managed. The primary aim of the Chain of Responsibility is to ensure that legal liability applies to all the involved parties for their actions and/or inactions.
Holistic training and awareness across the entire corporate level can play a key role in improving road safety. Chain of Responsibility ideas will act as the ultimate guide to ensure that vehicles run in a safe and compliant manner. The objective is to encourage a proactive approach so that all businesses using heavy vehicles will give high emphasis on road safety.
Emphasis on the corporate chain of command
When accidents happen on the streets, the first finger is always pointed at the driver. But that might not be right in all instances. Various elements contribute to any accident. For instance, tight schedules and approaching deadlines might force the drivers to drive their vehicles without taking rest. So, who should be blamed for this? Here is where the concept of Chain of Responsibility comes into play.
Chain of Responsibility training will ensure that all the actors in the supply chain are aware of their roles and responsibilities. If an accident happens, everyone in the road transport supply chain can be held responsible for their actions and inactions in regard to:
- Dimension requirements
- Fatigue management
- Load restraint laws
- Mass requirements
- Road transport operations
- Speed management
Thus, the Chain of Responsibility is a core component which ensures the safety of workers, customers, suppliers, subcontractors, and other road users.
Managing safe operations of heavy vehicles
Road safety is not only the responsibility of the individuals behind the wheel, but all the people who make up the supply chain. The Chain of Responsibility training package primarily intends to increase the awareness of everyone involved so that heavy and bulky vehicles can run without compromising road safety. A holistic approach is adopted by giving top-most priority to safety. The Chain of Responsibility ensures that each party in the chain lays emphasis on the transportation activity of the vehicle.
Better general awareness of supply chain staff
The majority of supply chain staff, such as executives and managers, work in the backend so they may not be aware of the exact challenges that truck drivers face on the roads. This can restrict their ability to devise proper work plans for drivers. For example, driving for long hours during the night can be extremely exhausting for the drivers. But the supply chain staff might be unaware of the seriousness of the issue. The Chain of Responsibility gives importance to off-road parties as they can influence the on-road behaviour in varying ways.
One of the fundament ideas of Chain of Responsibility training is to involve the entire supply chain in the education process. The objective is to ensure that all the participants in the chain can carry out their respective roles and responsibilities in a coordinated manner.
| Need of Chain of Responsibility | Implication |
| Sharing of responsibility and ownership | Better road safety |
| Supply chain staff are aware of the necessary procedure and protocols | Implementation of an integrated strategy to curtail risks on the road |
| Inclusion of the entire corporate chain | Focus on the safety of truck drivers and people on the streets |
Focus on fatigue management
One of the main reasons for accidents is the high level of exhaustion and fatigue of the drivers. They can be tired due to diverse reasons such as lack of adequate sleep, stressful driving schedules, or the inability to take regular breaks during the journey. A vital segment of Chain of Responsibility training focuses on Fatigue Management. It can help all the supply chain members to act responsibly so that fatigue of drivers can be minimised and effectively tackled.
Training for executives and managers
One of the major features of the Chain of Responsibility training model is that it believes in educating the executives and managers. These positions are a vital link in the corporate chain of command. Their awareness of road safety can make sure that proper strategies and interventions are in place. A lack of awareness on their part can have severe repercussions for truck drivers and other people on the roads. The training package basically broadens the line of sight of executives and managers so that they can give high priority to road safety.
The integrated training solution delivers quality content that can be combined with the existing OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) solution or that can be implemented on a standalone basis.
Improved allocation of risks and costs
One of the core ideas of Chain of Responsibility Training revolves around the effective allocation of risks and costs. Since all the members of the supply chain are aware of their exact roles and responsibilities to manage road safety, the allocation of risks and costs becomes simple. This approach makes the entire supply chain more conscious of the work process. The training encourages the entire chain of command to follow the procedures and protocols which can positively impact road safety. This is possible as it extends the overall liability for the offense to various members such as freight consignors, packers, loaders or other members. The training model aims to make sure that “all care and no responsibility” behaviour can be ceased.
Some of the members of the chain that can be held liable for committing an offence include:
- Officers of body corporates
- Employers
- Directors
- Partners and
- Other members of the chain
Restricting excess load
Many vehicles carry a huge volume of inventory or other kinds of load. If the load is over the approved limit, it can increase the chances of accidents on the roads. The Chain of Responsibility training course is specifically designed to ensure that proper precautions are taken at every step, so that road safety is strengthened. As the general liability relating to an offense extends to loaders as well, they are cautious while loading the vehicles.
Unified training and education model
The Chain of Responsibility training is an integrated model which offers the most effective and efficient methods for organization-wide education that can strengthen road safety. The training combines face-to-face, online, distance, and remote classroom delivery so that proper safety on the roads can be ensured. Simone Reinertsen, the stakeholder specialist for the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator stated “The heavy vehicle supply chain plays an important role in supporting safe and reliable road transport for all road users.” https://www.quarrymagazine.com/2019/10/11/better-understanding-of-the-chain-of-responsibility/
When numerous accidents are taking place every single day, Chain of Responsibility training can play a key role in safeguarding road users. Claire Nelischer, Ryerson CBI Project Manager, said that “Now, there is greater public awareness of road safety as a critical issue, and an established view that more robust actions are necessary to protect vulnerable road users – actions like reducing speed limits and redesigning streets.” The training plays a key role in enhancing existing road safety.