Edition 39, October 2006

Transitioning to the new national standard for high risk work

Each year around 130,000 licences are issued nationally for the operation of high risk industrial equipment.

The human and capital cost associated with operational error in the use of high risk industrial equipment is considerable. In the five year period from 1998 to 2002 around 9600 incidents were reported nationally with an average cost per compensation claim of $23,000.

The certification system in operation between 1998 and 2002 was governed by the National Certification Standard and Guidelines. In 2004 the Workplace Relations Ministerial Council agreed to a review of that standard. The review identified a number of issues that inhibited the effectiveness of occupational health and safety regulations in the area of operator certification.

To address these issues, in April 2006 the Australian Safety and Compensation Council declared that a new National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work would replace the existing standard.

Key reforms under the new standard are:

  • Training and assessment to obtain a licence will be through the vocational education and training system with a registered training organisation under the Australian Quality Training Framework. This will help to ensure that training and assessment is of a consistently high quality nationally.
  • Licences will require renewal every five years on evidence of current competency, helping to ensure that licensed operators retain the skills necessary for safely operating the specified equipment.
  • Licences will include a photograph of the holder, reducing the risk of forgery and fraud.
  • Forklift and self-erecting tower crane operators also need to be licensed in recognition of the high risk nature of these activities.

The Workplace Relations Ministerial Council agreed that the new standard is to be adopted into state and territory occupational health and safety regulation by 1 July 2007.

Western Australia and Queensland are the first states to start implementing the new standard.

For more information about the new standard contact the Australian Safety and Compensation Council on 02 6121 6000, info@ascc.gov.au or visit www.ascc.gov.au

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