Third-Party Worker Transport: Who’s Responsible?

Transporting workers is one of the highest-risk activities in agriculture, and many employers use third-party providers to move staff to and from farms or packhouses. While outsourcing transport can be practical, it is not always possible, and does not remove the producer’s responsibility to ensure that transport is safe, legal, and well-managed. The SIZA Transport Guide reminds us that when accidents or non-compliance occur, both the service provider and the client can be held accountable, depending on the circumstances. Let’s look at some of the important cornerstones of safe transport when using a third-party transport provider:

• Effective management begins with a clear agreement. A written contract or service level agreement should set out the provider’s obligations, covering issues such as vehicle standards, driver competence, insurance, reporting requirements, and liability. Producers can appoint a responsible person to liaise with the transport company, oversee performance, and conduct routine checks.

• Legal compliance is another cornerstone. Vehicles must be properly licensed, roadworthy, and designed for carrying people, not adapted from goods transport. Drivers should hold the appropriate licences and professional permits where required, be medically fit, and operate within safe working hours to avoid fatigue. A transport risk assessment can help identify dangers such as poor road conditions, overloading, or unsafe boarding and disembarking, and should guide the controls put in place.

• Communication and training are equally important. Workers should know what to expect from transport services and how to report unsafe practices, while drivers must be inducted in company policies and safety rules. Monitoring systems such as trip schedules, vehicle inspection records, and incident registers provide an early warning when things go wrong. Reviewing these regularly with the provider builds accountability and prevents small problems from becoming serious risks.

• Producers should not hesitate to audit their providers. Periodic inspections, spot checks, or ride-along observations clearly show whether vehicles are being maintained and drivers are acting responsibly. Any accidents or near misses must be investigated thoroughly, with corrective actions agreed upon and followed through. Producers may need to replace the provider in cases of persistent poor performance to protect their workforce.

• Finally, contingency planning is essential. Transport arrangements should include emergency procedures for accidents, medical incidents, or unexpected disruptions like extreme weather. The same safety principles apply even when transport is used for non-work purposes.