WorkSafe WA has commenced an inspection program focused on high risk work licenses for forklift operators in the manufacturing sector.
The inspection program will be conducted over six months in metropolitan and regional areas of WA, ensuring forklift operators in the industry have the relevant licenses or certification.
During the inspection program, inspectors will check whether forklift operators in the manufacturing sector have the relevant high risk work licence or current National Certificate of Competency to operate forklifts.
Inspectors will also make a number of checks on the forklifts in workplaces, including whether the forklift is in good working order, maintenance records, capacity charts and operators’ manuals and whether the work area is organised for the safety of forklift operators.
WorkSafe WA says the start of the inspection campaign will coincide with an advertising campaign on high risk work licenses. That campaign is running from July to September 2010.
According to WorkSafe WA, many workers who operate forklifts, cranes, hoists or pressure equipment or carry out scaffolding, dogging or rigging work must now have a licence for high risk work to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to do the job safely.