Consignor charged with safety breaches in Australian first

The consignor of 26 tonnes of imported plywood has been charged with contravening the WHS-style chain-of-responsibility provisions of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, after a truck carrying the products in a shipping container rolled over onto a pedestrian island on a Dandenong, Victoria road.


The Victorian company faces a maximum penalty of a least $2 million, if found guilty, with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator accusing it of multiple category 2 and category-3 breaches of its primary safety duty as a consignor.


It is the first consignor to be prosecuted by the NHVR since the HVNL was amended, in late 2018, to impose proactive safety duties on all supply chain parties (see related article).


The regulator, which declines to name defendants, alleges that at the time of the November 2019 crash, in which no one was injured, the company failed to: comply with loading and restraint requirements; advise its overseas supplier of Australian safety regulations; ensure a restraint system was in place inside the shipping container; or advise the driver and operator how the load was packed.


Significantly, the consignor was allegedly guilty of the same failings in relation to 189 shipping containers transported since June 2017.

The company exposed drivers, unloaders and members of the public to the risk of death or serious injury, the NHVR alleges.


“[The crash] was a serious incident that the NHVR will allege was caused by multiple breaches of safety laws,” NHVR statutory compliance executive director Ray Hassall said.


https://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&stream=2&selkey=56513&hlc=2&hlw=


Originally posted on OHS Alert

Contact Us

Zenergy News

4 Podcasts for WHS and Sustainability & Environment Professionals
March 25, 2025
Discover the best HSE-related podcasts that provide expert insights, industry trends, and practical advice for professionals. Stay informed and enhance your knowledge with these must-listen shows.
March 24, 2025
Colin Hansen, WHS Director John Holland - M7M12 Project
Photo from the previous 2024 Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards night.
March 3, 2025
Zenergy invites you to be part of the prestigious 2025 Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards (AWHSA). Nominate today!
February 28, 2025
Australia's 2025 sustainability reporting rules are here. Learn how they impact businesses and prepare for compliance. Read now!
February 11, 2025
A workplace health and safety regulator has explained what the "safest workplaces" look like, in revealing it finalised more than 100 successful safety prosecutions in 2024.
February 11, 2025
Two years after the release of the groundbreaking 2022 Everyday Respect Report, Rio Tinto has undertaken a thorough Progress Review to assess its ongoing cultural transformation. As one of the world’s largest mining companies, Rio Tinto has been working to create a safer, more inclusive workplace culture that fosters respect, productivity, and innovation. The 2024 Progress Review highlights significant strides made, ongoing challenges, and areas requiring further attention. The Journey Towards Cultural Transformation Cultural change is a multi-year effort that requires consistent leadership, structural support, and engagement across all levels of an organization. Since launching its Everyday Respect initiative, Rio Tinto has embedded this agenda into its core business strategy, focusing on reducing bullying, sexual harassment, and racism in the workplace. Key Progress Areas: Increased Awareness and Open Conversations: The public release of the original report acted as a catalyst for change, encouraging more employees to speak up and engage in discussions about respect. Stronger Leadership Commitment: Leaders are playing a more proactive role in championing Everyday Respect, with a focus on psychological safety and inclusive leadership. Enhanced Training and Education: Programs such as Everyday Respect Training and Purple Banners have been widely implemented to build awareness and response capabilities. Facility Upgrades and Safety Improvements: Investments in workplace infrastructure have improved the physical environment, making it more inclusive and conducive to employee well-being. Greater Workforce Diversity: There has been a notable increase in gender and cultural diversity across teams, fostering innovation and improved workplace dynamics. Ongoing Challenges and Areas for Improvement Despite progress, resistance to change remains an obstacle, particularly among certain groups. Survey data indicates that while improvements have been perceived in many areas, instances of bullying, sexual harassment, and racism persist. Key focus areas include: Building Stronger Buy-in: Engaging those who are resistant to cultural change, particularly male employees, to foster a collective commitment to Everyday Respect. Enhancing Reporting Mechanisms: Increasing trust in reporting systems to ensure that employees feel safe and supported when raising concerns. Strengthening Frontline Leadership: Providing additional training and tools to equip supervisors and managers with the skills needed to drive culture change at all levels. Maintaining Momentum: Ensuring that Everyday Respect remains a priority in the face of organizational changes and external pressures. Looking Ahead: Staying the Course The findings from the 2024 Progress Review reaffirm Rio Tinto’s commitment to long-term cultural transformation. While meaningful progress has been made, continued efforts are needed to sustain positive momentum and address persistent challenges. As one employee noted: “ Change is definitely happening, and it will get hard at times. We can’t back away ... I’m here at Rio Tinto because I want to see through this change. We need to stay the course. ” With ongoing leadership, engagement, and strategic initiatives, Rio Tinto is on the path to embedding Everyday Respect across all facets of its global operations, ensuring a safer, more inclusive, and more productive workplace for all employees. See full report “ here ”.
More Posts
Share by: