SafeWork SA issues expiation notices for high risk work without licence

Two construction companies have recently received expiation notices from SafeWork SA for allowing workers to undertake high risk work without the appropriate licence.

SafeWork Australia said it was notified that a vehicle loading crane overturned during the unloading of a stillage containing electrical conduits on 15 November 2021. An investigation conducted by the safety watchdog revealed that the operator did not hold the appropriate licence to operate the vehicle loading crane or to perform dogging work.

On 18 November 2021, SafeWork SA received notification via Facebook of unsafe installation of an industrial shed using a forklift. A SafeWork investigation found that the worker did not hold the relevant licence to operate the forklift truck. The investigation also found other unsafe practices.

SafeWork SA Executive Director, Martyn Campbell said, “the licensing of workers ensures that high risk work is performed by people deemed competent and that have undergone the relevant training which incorporates the health and safety of workers and other persons in the workplace”.

“In these recent incidents, both companies had disregard to their duty of care, exposing their untrained workers to serious harm.

“SafeWork SA will not hesitate to take strong action against businesses that fail to comply with their obligations under the high risk work licensing scheme” said Mr Campbell.

Originally published on the SafeWork SA website.