Share on linkedin Share on google Share on facebook Share on twitter ALERT: STOLEN HEAVY VEHICLE Companies are being reminded to take the theft of company vehicles seriously as a PCBU may have responsibility, for any damage caused. 29th August 2019 Background Two teenagers are to front court after allegedly stealing a medium-sized heavy vehicle. …
Magistrate Mark Semmens is scathing in his findings against Bitumax, a Boral company which trades as Boral Asphalt; for a mass offence. The magistrate went on further to state that “I do not think this is a ‘basic’ case. It is an extraordinary case and what is extraordinary is the complete lack of any structure by a corporate body to ensure that a chain of reporting exists.
Sometimes as a consultant, you know when your time is being wasted. One of those times was early 2018 for me when I sat in front of a prospective supplier. One of the three men in the room smashed his fist on the table asking me, the consultant on chain of responsibility, why it was his responsibility to ensure a safe transport task in his business. I knew right there my time to this prospect was wasted.
Laws structure our everyday lives and tell us what we can or cannot do in certain circumstances; they are there to protect us from each other and to maintain a peaceful place to live, or at least as friendly as possible. Take the legislation that governs the speed we can use when travelling on our roads.
Logistic management companies have spent and will spend multiple millions of dollars on the safety of their fleet and drivers. Of course, it’s great for business, it reduces risk for their own investments and ongoing financial targets. But most importantly, it’s sold as a value proposition, an underlying value proposition to their consumers.
The owner and driver still have a duty of care. They must still ensure that their duty does not impact the lives of the employees, or the public. Even though they are not liable under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.