Warning on falsified high risk work licences

WorkSafe WA has issued a warning to carefully check high risk work licences after being alerted to a licence that had been altered to include classes of high risk work for which the owner had not been trained.

“In this latest instance, a licence was presented to a Canning Vale company, and they became suspicious after not being able to confirm that WorkSafe had issued it,” said WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch.

“The company then sent a copy to WorkSafe requesting a check. Upon further investigation, it was found that the licence number was registered to another man who legitimately holds a licence for two classes of high risk work.”

McCulloch said the falsification was not very convincing, with the substituted name, date of birth and licence classes printed in a different type and size font from the original.

High risk work licences are only issued to workers who have been appropriately trained and have the skills to perform high risk work safely and competently. They apply to anyone engaged in work considered to be high risk, including scaffolding, dogging and rigging work and the operation of cranes, hoists, pressure equipment and forklifts.

“Our advice to potential employers or anyone in control of a workplace is to satisfy yourself that anyone you are thinking of employing for high risk work has the experience they claim to have,” said McCulloch.

“Always sight the original high risk work licence card — don’t be satisfied with an emailed or texted scan or photo of the licence. Anyone who has concerns about a high risk work licence can verify the details using the WorkSafe licence and registration search. If the person cannot be found, please contact WorkSafe so the issue can be followed up.”

Further information can be obtained by contacting WorkSafe on 1300 307877 or visiting www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.