OH&S, Duty of Care, Liability and Cargo Barriers
6 key facts
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Under our system of government, the States and Territories have responsibility for making laws about workplace health and safety, and for enforcing those laws. “The key principle of each Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act is the ‘duty of care’ responsibility given to employers to provide a safe place of work for employees.” [1] “Duty of care requires everything ‘reasonably practicable’ to be done to protect the health and safety of others at the workplace……the duty holder must show that it was not reasonably practicable to do more than was done or that they have taken ‘reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence".[2]
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If your employees carry cargo in their vehicles, it is the fleet manager’s responsibility to ensure that this cargo is safely restrained.
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A Milford Cargo Barrier is the best protection you can give them.
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The stringent Australian Standard (AS4034) specifies the performance criteria for cargo barriers. Milford Industries produces cargo barriers that meet this standard for most popular vehicles in the market. Many cargo barriers available in the market place do not meet this important safety standard.
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When you are procuring a new vehicle and have the opportunity to choose a cargo barrier, select your barrier on the basis of performance, not price. Lives and liability may depend on your choice.
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Personal fine and jail
If negligent, corporations can face fines of up to $500,000. Individuals, including fleet managers, can face fines of up to $50,000 and / or up to 2 years’ jail.[3]
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