Will the new High-Risk Work Licence end the Paper War?

To gain a Certificate of Competency in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) an applicant completes an Application for Assessment which is an A4 sized document (4 pages) the assessor uses an assessment instrument (at least 9 A4 sized pages) and makes entries in the applicant's log book as the supervisor, the applicant receives an Assessment Summary (A5 sized page) and if successful 2 copies of a Notice of Satisfactory Assessment (A5 sized page) which the applicant takes to the ACT Office of Regulatory Services (ACT ORS) and completes an Application for a Certificate of Competency (2 A4 sized pages). The applicant then continues to work on a Log Book under supervision until receipt of a letter from ACT ORS advising that the application has been approved.

Now, we know that operators do not necessarily have to hold Certificates of Competency if they are meeting the requirements of Trainees under supervision. I am curious as to whether or not the new Licences to Perform High-Risk Work will, when available in the ACT be a more streamlined process, such as completion of one A4 sized combined application/assessment summary and notice of satisfactory assessment form, that when issued, acts as an interim licence for 60 days - this process has to be easier.

On another matter, Loadshifting tickets will go, with the exception of LO and LF. There are some anomolies with definitions of plant, eg Fork Lift Truck (FLT) and Order Picking Fork Lift Truck (OP FLT) to name just two. As the legal definition of a FLT in the ACT differs from other jurisdictions in that here, there is no difference between a FLT and a Pedestrian Operated FLT, one must hold a Class LF Certificate of Competency for a pedestrian stacker, commonly known as a "walkie".

In another case, there are two machines on the market where the operator is elevated with the controls (Crown WAV and Genie Runabout), these are recognised in other jurisdictions as Elevating Work Platforms under 11 metres or Vertical Lift EWPs. The legal definition of an OP FLT in the ACT means that to operate these machines (a machine that does not require certification in other jurisdictions) the operator must hold a Class LO Certificate of Competency in the ACT. To make matters worse for operators/industry and assessors, there is no assessment instrument that will accommodate these items of equipment for successful assessment outcomes.

One could now discuss the problems with assessment instruments such as hoists etc but, there have been enough issues raised already to stimulate discussion. I only hope that with the ACT soon to be the proud owner of the newest OHS Legislation in the land, we can utilise this lead time to ensure it is also efficient in its implementation.