Another step on the chain of responsibility path for the refrigerated supply chain has been taken, with VicRoads registering its Code of Practice, the Refrigerated Warehouse and Transport Association (RWTA) reports. Chain of Responsibility legislation (CoR) has been introduced by all State governments to regulate the responsibility of how freight is loaded, secured and transported.
By Rob McKay | March 16, 2012
Another step on the chain of responsibility (CoR)
path for the refrigerated supply chain has been taken, with VicRoads registering its Code of Practice, the Refrigerated Warehouse and Transport Association (RWTA) reports.
CoR legislation has been introduced by all State governments to regulate the responsibility of how freight is loaded, secured and transported.
The legislation also covers driving times and the organisation and management of pick-up and delivery times.
The legislation apportions responsibility to different participants in the supply chain.
It covers transport companies, warehouse operators, customers arranging or ordering the transport and receivers of the goods. It also covers any other party that may have an influence on a load of goods or the management of transport.
Many of the responsibilities are shared.
“The RWTA code covers all CoR areas in regard to the handling of temperature-controlled goods from factory to warehouses and ultimately on to the customer,” the association says.
“Signatories to the code will have clearly defined responsibilities, and will have comfort in the knowledge that when they deal with other signatories to the code, all parties understand where their responsibilities lie.
“There will be no ambiguity about how shared responsibilities are handled.
“This will ensure compliance with CoR legislation by all parties and more importantly safer transport of temperature controlled goods.”
Chairman of the RWTA CoR/Transport sub-committee Jacquelene Brotherton says that this is the first Code of Practice which covers all parties throughout the cold chain.
She notes that the code was written in a way to demonstrate all the links in the supply chain and each participant’s responsibilities under the CoR legislation.
“It is written in a simple manner that everyone can understand. It can be broken down into simple point form instructions for truck drivers, forklift drivers and operational supervisors to follow,” the RWTA says.
The code has taken the subcommittee –made up of small and large refrigerated transport companies, food suppliers, manufacturers and cold stores – more than two years to develop.
“Several RWTA members are ready to sign up and many others have indicated that they will be doing so as soon as possible,” it says.
“Implementation of the code will enable companies to assess where they comply and what gaps they may have in their policies and practices so they can take the appropriate action to fix them.
“The code will enhance compliance and safety in the temperature controlled supply chain.”