Why We Ask These Questions:
To confirm you have practical systems that embed your Chain of Responsibility policies—daily pre-trip checks catch vehicle faults early, and a clear incident-reporting process ensures any CoR breaches are logged, investigated and corrected.
What It’s Based On:
- Heavy Vehicle National Law (Cth) ch 5–6 – requires safe vehicles and record-keeping of compliance activities.
- Model WHS Regulation r 53 – duty to investigate incidents and record findings.
- NHVR CoR Guidelines – recommend daily vehicle checks and internal breach-reporting procedures.
What We’re Looking For:
| Question | Why It Matters | What You Need to Show |
| Are daily vehicle pre-trip checks performed and logged? | Identifies defects before use – prevents breakdowns, load shifts and CoR breaches. | Completed daily check sheets signed by drivers, with fault-rectification notes. |
| Is there a CoR incident-reporting procedure in place? | Ensures any breach of fatigue, speed or loading rules is recorded, investigated and remediated. | Written incident-reporting procedure and sample report with follow-up actions. |
Legal Basis by State & Territory
| Jurisdiction | Daily Checks | Incident Reporting |
| NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, TAS, ACT | HVNL Reg 9.1–9.15 (vehicle standards & maintenance) | Model WHS Reg r 53 (incident investigation) |
| NT | WHS (National) Reg rr 147–149 (plant maintenance applies to vehicles) | WHS (National) Reg r 53 |
| WA | WHS Reg 2022 rr 147–149 (plant maintenance) | WHS Reg 2022 r 53 |
- Under the HVNL, each CoR party must ensure vehicles are maintained and used according to the National Regulations.
- Regulators expect daily pre-trip checks as part of that duty.
- All jurisdictions’ WHS laws require incidents to be investigated without delay and records kept.