New legislation for weighing systems in WA

NEW LEGISLATION FOR WEIGHING SYSTEMSMake sure you are pulling your weight when it comes to the law

Do you remember the first time you ever broke the rules? Chances are there were consequences and a sizeable amount of regret that steered you away from doing the same again. Learning to stay in line does not have to happen the hard way. In this blog, we’ll share with you the recently introduced legislation for weighing systems in Western Australia and how best to ensure you stay out of trouble. You can’t afford not to pay attention.

As cliché as it may sound, rules are there to serve you and obeying the law is actually the path of least resistance (regardless of how inconvenient they may sometimes seem). Incorporating the right weighing system into your transportation business and abiding by the associated laws will make sure your business runs efficiently, and more importantly save you valuable time and money.

What is the new legislation?

The governing body, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), has outlined new legislation revolving around the ‘chain of responsibility’. Essentially it recognises that everybody along the supply chain plays a role in adhering to regulations, which means everyone shares the responsibility – and nobody should be exempt.

According to the NHVR, “If you consign, pack, load or receive goods as part of your business, you could be held legally liable for breaches of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), even though you have no direct role in driving or operating a heavy vehicle.”

Furthermore, corporate entities and senior members of the business can also be accountable for the actions of employees under their management. Every party that is capable of influencing or controlling any transport task is part of the supply chain, and they are expected to comply with all accompanying laws and regulations.

Staying on the right side of the law

It goes without saying that you don’t want to be caught on the wrong side of the law, particularly considering the consequences. To save yourself the stress that comes with breaking laws and incurring hefty fines, ensure you do the following:

  • Familiarise yourself with the laws.
  • Empower employees and everyone along the supply chain with the same information.
  • Use a quality onboard weighing system for precise weight readings to stay within legal limits at all times.
  • Ensure work/employment contracts are carefully prepared in accordance with the laws.
  • Be wary of jobs that may require a breach of law (e.g. unrealistic time frames that may result in excessive fatigue).

Did you find this post useful? We are the experts in vehicle weighing systems in WA, contact us today to discover all the ins and outs of vehicle weighing systems and find the best solutions for your business.