Telehandler Licensing / Training Explained

1 Telehandler Licensing / Training Explained John Temperley, Farm Safety Program Leader at the University of Sydney s Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety The information here has been collected and collated from the Telescopic Handler Association of Australia, NSW WorkCover and Queensland Workplace Health and Safety. This information can be found on their websites or by contacting them by phone for further information: Telescopic Handler Association of Australia NSW WorkCover and Queensland Workplace Health and Safety What is a Telehandler ? Telehandlers are also known by a variety of names, including multi-purpose handlers/cranes/tool carriers and telescopic forklifts, as well as common proprietary names.

2 A telescopic handler or Telehandler is a versatile type of mobile lifting plant incorporating a telescopic boom fitted with a lifting attachment. The most common means of lifting is by forks, but telehandlers can be fitted with a variety of attachments for different types of loads. The range of attachments that can be used will depend upon the design of the particular Telehandler . The most popular attachments are: Fork tynes Earth moving bucket Work platform Lifting jib Do I need a high risk licence, if so which one? There is a lot of confusion as to what type of High Risk Work Licence is required, if any is needed at all.

3 The regulators nationwide have agreed that a Telehandler will fall under the High Risk Work Licence category of either non-slewing or slewing crane if they have a lifting capacity greater than 3 tonnes. However, throughout Australia there are some variations to the Training and licencing parameters. Refer to State regulators. The High Risk Work Licence is about the machine ( Telehandler ) and the attachment. In some cases or States additional high risk licences may be required to operate the Telehandler with a specific attachment fitted, eg Work Platforms. If the Telehandler fits into the High Risk Work Licencing category in your State and the machine does not slew, then the high risk Licence to Operate a Non Slewing Mobile Crane (CN licence) is sufficient.

4 If the Telehandler is of the slewing variety then a Slewing Mobile Crane Licence (C2, C6 or greater) is required. The following Table 1 has been summarised from the Telescopic Handler Licencing and Training Requirements Matrix - Issue 9 Jan 2014 produced by the Telescopic Handler Association of Australia and can be accessed by following this link. Table 1: Summary of Training and High Risk Work Licencing in NSW and Queensland from the Telescopic Handler Association of Australia State Web Address Under 3t (forks attached) Over 3t (forks attached) Attachments WP Basket less than 11m Attachments WP Basket 11m or over Jib or Hook max 3t & under Jib or Hook over 3t Slewing TH Any Capacity NSW DOC DOC DOC WP DOC CN# C2/C6/C1/C0 Qld DOC DOC DOC WP DOC CN# Note 1 Type of load management systems required LSL/LSI LSL/LSI Note 2 Note 2 LSL/LSI and MCL or RCL/RCI Note 3 RCL/ RCI Note 3 RCL/ RCI Note 1.

5 Although not stated as such a C2 / C6 / C1 / C0 would be the requirement as CN is non-slewing. Check with State Regulator Note 2: Platform attachment recognition required on TH and Slewing TH fitted with work platforms. WP Baskets must not be mounted to fork tynes. Note 3: Jib or hook maximum capacity is determined by the combination of the TH and the attachment and rated as such on the related load chart. CN#: is the minimum required licence. Note that C2/C6/C1/C0 = Licence: Cranes, Slewing are also acceptable. All attachment combinations must be approved for use on the TH and the appropriate load charts provided Legend: TH = Telescopic Handler DOC = Duty of Care Training CN = Licence: Non-slewing Crane over 3t WP = Licence: Elevating Work Platform Boom 11m & over LF = Licence: Forklift RCL/RCI = Rated Capacity Limiter/Indicator LSL/LSI = Longitudinal Stability Limiter/Indicator MCL = Maximum Capacity Limiter Training The Telescopic Handler Association has developed a Gold Card and it is the Association s method of meeting their Duty of Care responsibilities.

6 However, other methods can be used. Such methods include having in-house Training schemes or user specific programs. The key elements are that any programs need to have a structured Training format, delivered by a suitably qualified person. The Training content should meet the Australian Standard AS :2007 Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use - Telescopic handlers, the manufacturer Safe operating procedures and be in line with the unit of competency TLILIC3008A Licence to Operate a Non Slewing Mobile Crane. Training should be provided by a person who by Training , qualification, knowledge, experience or a combination) has the necessary skills and knowledge to provide Training on the safe operation of the machine.

7 The Training should be documented. High Risk Work Licenses Before people and businesses undertake High Risk Work activities in the workplace, they may be required to: obtain a permit notify WorkCover register certain equipment hold a licence or certificate of competency Note: Transitional arrangements have been put in place in NSW to support businesses, industry and workers move to the new work health and safety laws. Check the transitional arrangements to see if they apply to your work. WHS transitional arrangements Various transitional arrangements have been put in place in NSW to support businesses, industry and workers to implement the work health and safety (WHS) laws.

8 These arrangements commenced on 1 January 2012 and depending on the provision, have either expired or are in various stages of progression. Summary of current transitional provisions By 1 July 2013 only licensed asbestos assessors can issue clearance certificates or conduct air monitoring for friable asbestos removal work. By 1 January 2015 compression of three boiler operation high risk work licence classes to two. By 1 January 2014 design registration for prefabricated formwork. This transitional has expired awaiting Safe Work Australia's changes to the model Regulations. By 1 January 2014 transition of duties concerning the design of plant and substances from the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2001 (OHS Act) to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) for designs commenced before 1 January 2012.

9 By 1 January 2014 major hazard facility safety cases must comply with clause 560 Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation). By 1 July 2015 introduction of reach stacker high risk work licence. Non-slewing mobile crane (CN class) is required for the operation of a reach stacker in the interim period. By 1 January 2015 new notification requirements for the storage of dangerous goods. By 1 July 2015 new renewal requirements for plant item registrations. By 1 January 2017 classification and labelling of hazardous chemicals in compliance with the Globally Harmonised System (GHS).

10 In the interim, compliance with the relevant requirements of the Australian code for the transport of dangerous goods by road and rail and the Approved criteria for classifying hazardous substances [NOHSC: 1008(2004)] is required. Existing notifications of carcinogens are valid as an authorisation until their five year expiry. Continuing specific arrangements for mine and coal mine workplaces including registration of mining plant, notification of electrical work on energised electrical equipment. Recent exemptions to the WHS Regulation 2011 Inflatable amusement devices of less than three metres platform height are exempt from item and design registration.