Workers reminded to renew high-risk work licences

WorkCover NSW is again reminding workers qualified to operate high-risk plant and equipment to review, and if necessary renew, their licences.

High-risk work licences are needed to operate a range of machinery including forklifts and cranes, and pressure equipment such as boilers and turbines. They are also required in order to carry out scaffolding, rigging and dogging work.

WorkCover NSW Work Heath and Safety Division General Manager John Watson said the changes were part of a national approach to uniform licensing and mobility across Australia.

“This is the final stage of the NSW transition, which began in 2006,” Watson said.

“The incoming changes are going to be very beneficial to the thousands of people in NSW currently holding a high-risk work licence.”

Watson said there would be two main changes to the current system.

“The three different WorkCover high-risk work licences will be combined into one easily recognisable card with a photo, expiry date and information showing the type of high-risk activity the holder is licensed to perform.

“Secondly, this new card will be recognised across all the states and territories.

“This is going to be beneficial across many industries where we see people moving interstate for short or long periods of work.

“It makes sense to have one licence recognised no matter where you work in Australia, rather than the present system where some licences are only recognised in the state where they were issued.”

Watson said there were three simple ways to tell if your licence needs to be replaced.

“If you received your licence before 1996, or if it doesn’t have a valid expiry date or photo ID, the licence will need to be replaced,” he said.

“Since 2006, WorkCover has been contacting licence holders via letter and advertising the changes through the media.

“Anyone unsure if their licence needs to be replaced should call WorkCover on 1800 335 791, email us or visit our website.”

WorkCover will send a renewal pack. An application form will then need to be lodged along with a passport-sized photo, proof of identity and payment of a $60 fee for the new five-year photo licence.

All affected licences must be renewed before the end of this year, 31 December 2012.