WHS Queensland - High Risk Update

• WHSQ proposing changes Queensland High Risk Work Licences (HRWL)
• Proposed changes form part of the Best Practice Review
• Further information expected in coming months

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) has concluded a series of High-Risk Licence seminars throughout Queensland.

Recommendations put forward in the Best Practice Review of workplace health and safety in Queensland are now in the process of being implemented and this includes proposed changes/impacts on High Risk Work Licence standards, assessment and training.

WorkSafe Connect attended several of these seminars, and we have summarised key aspects of the proposed changes for your information and review.

Proposed Short-Term Impact/Changes:

• Training v Assessing - WHSQ is proposing a new standard where the training and assessment of High-Risk Work Licences (HRWL) cannot be conducted by the same trainer assessor. While originally earmarked for an implementation date of 1 January 2019, WHSQ released an update on 16 November 2018 indicating that further consideration was now being made to this change in structure.WHSQ stated that although separation of training and assessment activities is viewed as a best practice approach, it will not be mandated at this time.
• Dogging – Anyone requesting training and assessment for a crane related HRWL will need to hold a current dogging HRWL. WHSQ are still yet to confirm a start date for this requirement to become mandatory (1 January 2019 was earmarked but is yet to be confirmed). The scope of this requirement includes vehicle loading crane (CV) which currently contains a dogging component.

Proposed Medium – Long-term Impact/Changes:

• Code of Practice - Development is due to commence on a new Code of Practice for Training Standards in relation to HRWL.
• Non-Slewing Mobile Cranes - A course is being developed for operators who are required to drive a non-slewing crane on a public road. At this point in time, a requirement to sit this course will apply to current licence holders as well as new applicants. Slewing crane operators are not included at this point in time.
• Slew Crane - Slew crane training will be required to include reach stacker, vehicle loading crane and non-slewing crane as they are encompassed in the slew crane licence, permitting the holder to operate them.
• Pre-requisites - 60t slew crane will be a pre-requisite to 100t or open slew crane licence.
• Mobile Crane Code Update - The Mobile Crane Code of Practice will be updated.
• New Units of Competency - New units of competency are being issued for all occupations falling under a high-risk work licence resulting in the regulators reviewing and updating the mandatory National Assessment Instruments.

If there are any aspects of the above-proposed changes that you would like to discuss in more detail, then please let us know and as an when more information is available (including specific implementation dates) we will provide you with further updates at that time.