Load shifting machines

New work health and safety laws come into effect in NSW on 1 January 2012. They will harmonise work health and safety requirements across Australia, including licensing activities.

To transition to the new laws, from 30 September 2011, operators in NSW will no longer need a certificate of competency to operate a:

• Front end loader
• Front end loader/backhoe
• Front end loader of the skid steer type
• Excavator

However, employers (or controllers of the plant) must ensure that the operator is competent to do their job safely.

RailCorp is currently developing a competence assurance system for operators of load shifting machines. Until this system is introduced, for operators to be engaged by RailCorp they must have the following;

A previous WorkCover Certificate of Competency for the machine style OR a Statement of Attainment in one of the following units of competency from the DMC training package.

• RIIMPO319A – Conduct backhoe/loader excavator operations
• RIIMPO320A – Conduct civil construction excavator operations
• RIIMPO321B – Conduct civil construction wheeled front end loader operations
• RIIMPO322A – Conduct civil construction tracked front end loader operations
• RIIMPO318B – Conduct civil construction skid steer loader operations
• RIIMPO332A – Conduct operations with skid steer loader

Operator competency

Operators who have existing WorkCover certificates of competency will have until the 30 March 2012 to obtain a Statement of Attainment in the relevant national unit of competency.

As of 1 October 2011, all Operators must maintain an operator's logbook, which they will record their work activities. This logbook must be endorsed by the RailCorp supervising officer at the completion of the period of work. Operators must produce their logbooks upon request of a RailCorp Officer.

For further information, refer to WorkCover fact sheet - load shifting machines issued June 2011 or contact Paul Radford on 0438 097 499.

How do I get a Statement of Attainment by 30 March 2012?

A Statement of Attainment for a relevant national unit of competency (see list below) from the DMC training package is a mandatory RailCorp requirement from 30 March 2012. A Statement of Attainment must be produced to Plant Hire Services and is the enabling competency to obtain authorisation to work on RailCorp projects.

• Conduct backhoe/loader excavator operations
• Conduct civil construction excavator operations
• Conduct civil construction wheeled front end loader operations
• Conduct civil construction tracked front end loader operations
• Conduct civil construction skid steer loader operations
• Conduct skid steer loader operations

Any contractors who have been trained through RailCorp Learning & Development in mobile plant operations will already have a Statement of Attainment that must be presented to Plant Hire Services prior to 30 March 2012. Contractors who have been trained through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and do not have a Statement of Attainment should go back to the RTO where they completed their training and request one.

For existing WorkCover licence holders (Yellow card holders) who have not completed recognised training leading to a national unit of competency, they are advised to contact an RTO to undertake recognition of their prior learning and obtain a Statement of Attainment.

To locate an RTO, click on the above links.

Logbook requirement - from 1 October 2011

As of 1 October 2011, all operators must maintain an operator's logbook to record their work activities. The logbook must be endorsed by the RailCorp supervising officer at the completion of the period of work to attest that the work has been performed. Operators must produce their logbooks on the request of a RailCorp officer. A logbook can be any record of work completed for RailCorp and operators can design their own logbooks or use the template provided.

 Load shifting machine operators logbook (490KB, PDF)

Why do I have to keep a logbook?

When RailCorp introduces its competence assurance system, operators will be required to provide evidence of the work undertaken over the last 12 months in the RailCorp environment. This is to provide assurance that the operators being hired have the relevant experience to conduct the job.

What happens if I forget to take my logbook on a job?

The logbook must be produced for recertification purposes as evidence of work undertaken in the RailCorp environment. It must also be produced on demand at the request of a RailCorp officer to provide assurance that the operator has the relevant experience to do the job.

More information

For further information on these requirements, contact Paul Radford on 0438 097 499.