High risk work licence conversions needed in SA

Operators of forklifts, cranes, hoists and pressure equipment as well as those doing scaffolding, rigging and dogging work in South Australia need to convert their old qualifications to the national Licence to Perform High Risk Work.

South Australia adopted the licence system in September 2010 with a five-year conversion schedule.

SafeWork SA Executive Director Bryan Russell said, “The conversion program applies to anyone holding an OHS Certification Australia Card for scaffolding, rigging, dogging, cranes, hoists and pressure equipment and/or a Notice of Satisfactory Assessment (NSA) for forklifts. If your card or NSA was issued between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2001, you must convert to a national licence before 1 September 2013.

Inspectors will be visiting workplaces to ensure that both workers and their employers are meeting their legal requirements relating to licensing for high-risk work.

It is a legal requirement to hold a valid licence so it is important that people with a qualification issued before December 2001 convert to a new national licence.

“Our inspectors are visiting workplaces to ensure that PCBUs and workers understand and comply with these requirements.

“Converting to the new licence is straightforward. Simply call the High Risk Work Conversion Line on 1300 975 909 and have your original certificates and/or NSAs listing the date of issue,” Russell said.

For a single fee, multiple high risk work qualifications can be converted and listed on the new photo licence.

“We are encouraging workers to convert now and not leave it to the last minute,” said Russell.

For further information about high risk work licensing, call the SafeWork SA Help Centre on 1300 365 255 or visit the website.