Road freight is the backbone of Australia’s domestic transportation. Freight data from the Australian Government has shown that over 241.8 billion tonne-kilometres of freight were moved across the nation in 2022–23. This meant a wide range of goods were transported everywhere, from bulk commodities like agricultural produce to high-value freight such as automobiles.
Moving that much freight across the nation can present challenges. Even more so for dangerous goods. These items often require meticulous handling, strict compliance with safety regulations, and specialised equipment to mitigate risks to people and the environment. For companies dealing with high-value, high-risk products, choosing a reliable road freight carrier is critical for effective operations.
In this article, we’ll show you how to pick the right road freight partner that will guarantee the safe and compliant delivery of your goods under Australian laws.
The General Benefits of Road Freight
In Australia, road freight is a highly pragmatic and reliable option for transporting goods. It works well with the country’s expansive road network, allowing for efficient short to medium-distance deliveries. This is essential for transporting specialty parts or e-commerce stock since it offers real-time tracking and improved route optimisation. There are also fewer regulatory delays, which makes it a more streamlined and predictable choice for companies with short turnaround times.
Road freight is scalable and economical. These traits make it perfect for both small and large cargo.
It’s a particularly dependable option for shipping high-risk or delicate equipment since it lowers the risk of transit damage typically associated with more turbulent delivery techniques.
Lastly, road freight is a practical choice for companies with a varied delivery footprint. This type of freight seamlessly connects with local courier services for last-mile delivery, even to rural or distant locations.
Road Freight for Dangerous Goods
When transporting dangerous goods, the need for a trusted and secure mode of transport is critical. Road freight, with its tailored services and direct routes, provides a level of oversight that other transport methods can’t match.
A key advantage of road freight is the ability to maintain a continuous chain of custody. This means that your goods are handled directly from origin to destination, reducing the risk of damage, theft, or regulatory issues that can happen with more complex modes of transport.
For businesses dealing with hazardous materials, it’s essential that the carrier not only meets regulatory standards but is also equipped with the proper licences and certifications to handle such goods.
The level of training that the driver and their team receive is also very important. Drivers are responsible for safely handling dangerous items, such as hazardous chemicals. Because of this, they often undergo specialised training and certifications.
Experienced drivers can ensure that hazardous materials are transported safely, securely, and in full compliance with all relevant regulations.
This gives businesses confidence, knowing the driver understands the risks and takes all necessary steps to reduce them.
Carriers must operate vehicles that meet safety and compliance standards. This includes having proper signage, secure containment systems, and the right equipment to handle dangerous goods. Reliable carriers invest in well-maintained vehicles for safe transport, adding an extra layer of security for your shipments.
Road freight also offers benefits like real-time tracking, advanced reporting, and easy communication, making it a secure and efficient choice for businesses handling hazardous materials.
Regulations for Dangerous Goods
Businesses that handle or manage dangerous goods follow more stringent regulations in the name of safety. Freight safety compliance for these businesses generally considers the following:
- Understanding the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code): This code provides consistent technical requirements for the land transport of dangerous goods, aligning with international standards.
- Proper Classification and Packaging: Accurate classification and secure packaging are essential to prevent accidents.
- Vehicle Placarding and Equipment: Vehicles must display appropriate placards indicating the presence of dangerous goods and be equipped with necessary safety equipment.
- Documentation and Compliance: Ensure all transport documentation is accurate and readily available for inspections.
Picking the Right Road Freight Carrier
When choosing the right road freight carrier for dangerous goods, businesses need to prioritise those that offer advanced technology and seamless integration into their operations.
A carrier that provides end-to-end visibility to monitor shipments while on the road, ensuring both safety and compliance throughout the transport process. Meanwhile, using digital documentation and compliance logs simplifies audits and ensures full transparency. Real-time exception management also allows for quick responses to unexpected events, such as temperature breaches or route changes.
Carriers that also provide automated compliance checks and multi-carrier options with dangerous goods filtering help businesses ensure their goods are up to code and transported safely.
It’s a bonus if the carrier has custom alerts, detailed reporting tools, and integrated dashboards for logistics and procurement teams set up. These allow businesses to monitor their shipment of dangerous goods as they move along the supply chain.
Reliable carriers like Couriers & Freight can provide some or all of the technological features like the ones mentioned earlier.
Transporting Dangerous Goods the Right Way
It’s crucial to have an integrated, responsive partner in logistics, not just a transporter. Carriers like Couriers & Freight combine compliance, capability, and cutting-edge technology to ensure your dangerous goods are moved safely, efficiently, and following regulations.
With the right partner, you can trust that your shipments will be handled with the utmost care from start to finish.
