The national certification process (2d)
The Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations are based on the National OHS Certification Standard for Users and Operators of Industrial Equipment, and require that users and operators of specified industrial equipment hold a National certificate of competency.
These certificates are nationally recognised and allow for full transferability of occupational competency between States and Territories.
As described in fact sheet 2c/99, some other certificate classes are provided for in the National Guidelines for Occupational Health and Safety Competency Standards for the Operation of Loadshifting Equipment and Other Types of Specified Equipment [NOHSC:7019(1992)]. As not all States and Territories offer certificates for these classes, the Commonwealth has not regulated them but incorporated these competencies into an Approved Code of Practice.
Comcare does not issue national certificates but requires that Commonwealth employees be certified by State or Territory OHS authorities.
A National Certification Working Group, representing all OHS jurisdictions, meets regularly to ensure there is national consistency and smooth operation of the national scheme.
A complete list of resource documents pertaining to the National Scheme is provided in fact sheet 2e/99.
Training
The first step for an applicant in attaining a certificate is to be trained in the required competencies. This can be done under the supervision of a certified operator using a log book to record competencies attained, or by undertaking a course run by a training provider.
Assessors
After training, an applicant has to be examined by an assessor accredited by an OHS authority. The examination involves a written and/or oral exam followed by a practical exam to demonstrate all the competencies. The examinations follow a strict format specified in National Assessment Instruments where questions are selected from a standard question set that is provided to all assessors.
Assessors are also required to maintain certain records and their performance and decisions are periodically audited. The OHS authorities believe that assessor auditing is the most critical step in guaranteeing the quality assurance of the national scheme.
Issue of certificates
Once assessed, an applicant can present evidence of satisfactory assessment, with the appropriate fees, to an OHS authority and be issued with a national certificate.
National certificates can also be issued on the basis of equivalence with other competency certificates eg old State or Territory (or in some cases overseas) certificates, or on the assessment of recognised prior learning (RPL).
Suspension or cancellation of certificates and assessor accreditation
All States and Territories and the Commonwealth (in the case of certificate holders) have provisions for the cancellation or suspension of certificates or assessor accreditation, if infringements to the requirements are detected.
Further information
This fact sheet is one of the Certification series:
FS 2a - Certification of User and Operator Competence for Industrial Equipment
FS 2b - Regulations on the Certification of Users and Operators of Industrial Equipment (revoked)
FS 2c - Approved Code of Practice on OHS Standards for the Operation of Loadshifting Equipment and other Types of Specified Equipment (revoked)
FS 2d - The National Certification Process
FS 2e - Resource Information on Certification
For further information about this fact sheet, or others in the series, please contact Comcare on the General Enquiry Line 1300 366 979.
Last updated: March 2007
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