Calling Attention to High-Risk License Renewal
WorkCover NSW (New South Wales, Australia) is reminding workers qualified to operate high risk plant and equipment to review, and if necessary renew, their licenses.
High-risk work licenses 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. [WCx]
WorkCover NSW Work Health and Safety Division General Manager John Watson said the changes were part of a national approach to uniform licensing and mobility across Australia.
Final Stage of Transition Which Began in 2006
“This is the final stage of the NSW transition, which began in 2006,” Watson said. The incoming changes are going be very beneficial to the thousands of people in NSW currently holding a high risk work license.”
According to Watson, there would be two main changes to the current system.
“The three different WorkCover high risk work licenses will be combined into one easily recognizable 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 recognized 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,” Watson commented.
Watson added that there were three simple ways to tell if your license needs to be replaced.
Licenses Received before 1996, or No Expiration or Photo Need Replacement
“If you received your license before 1996, or if it doesn’t have an expiry date or photo ID, the license will need to be replaced,” Watson said. “Since 2006, WorkCover has been contacting licenses holders via letter and advertising the changes through the media. Anyone unsure if their license needs to be replaced should call WorkCover on 13 10 50, email us at contact@workcover.nsw.gov.au, or visit our Web site www.workcover.nsw.gov.au. WorkCover will send you a renewal pack. You will then need to lodge an application form, a passport sized photo, proof of identity and pay a $60 fee for the new five year photo license.” [WCx]
All affected licenses must be renewed by Dec. 31, 2012.
Author Michael B. Stack, CPA, Director of Operations, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in employer communication systems and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is a writer, speaker, and website publisher. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
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