What high risk work needs to be licensed?

For updated information relating to the information on this page go to High risk work licence.

On 31 March 2022, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws replaced the health and safety elements of the Mines Safety and Inspection laws. For information visit www.demirs.wa.gov.au/whs

Transitional arrangements may be in place for the compliance requirements on this page.

All health and safety notifications, forms and guidance for mining and petroleum has moved to the WorkSafe website

The information below has been left for historical compliance reference purposes

 

 

When is a high risk work licence required?

Examples of high risk work tasks requiring a person to hold a licence include:

  • scaffolding - basic, intermediate and advanced
  • rigging work - dogging; basic, intermediate and advanced rigging
  • crane and hoist operation - tower; self-erecting tower; derrick; portal boom; bridge and gantry; vehicle loading; non slewing mobile; slewing; materials hoist; personnel and materials hoist; boom-type elevating work platform; vehicle-mounted concrete placing boom
  • forklift operation - forklift trucks; order-picking forklift trucks
  • pressure equipment operation - basic, intermediate and advanced boiler operation; turbine operation; reciprocating steam engine operation.

The National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work (National Licensing Standard) lists and describes the different types of high risk work licences.

Who issues high risk work licences?

High risk work licences are issued under the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 by DMIRS, via WorkSafe Western Australia.

Applying for a high risk work licence

Are there differences between mining and non-mining workplaces?

Definitions and application

The definitions of ‘high risk work’ and ‘high risk work licence’ for the mining industry have the same meanings as those given under regulation 6.1 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. However, there are important legislative differences relevant to high risk work licensing in the Western Australian mining industry.

Work activities for hoists and winding engines, and practical trials for competency involving certain plant are still subject to specific requirements under the mining legislation.

Hoists

The manager of a mine is responsible for determining competency to operate a hoist (defined as a single undivided drum winding engine driven by a motor or engine having a capacity not exceeding 25 kW) following testing by the manager or some other competent person. No certification is required, but the details of the testing and the name of the individual operator must be entered in the mine record book.

Winding engines

Winder drivers are certificated by the Board of Examiners and require the written authorisation of the mine manager.

Certain plant

The manager of the mine is responsible for authorising or finding persons competent for operating or driving plant that is not defined under the National Licensing Standard or Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.

This is particularly relevant in the underground mining environment, where high risk work is often undertaken using plant that may not be included under the National Licensing Standard, and requires the operator or driver to be trained and found to be competent by the mine manager through a practical trial.

What are the record book requirements for high risk work?

There is no requirement for a record book entry for licensed people coming on site to undertake high risk work covered by the licensing regime, but they are required to be assessed as competent before commencing work at the mine site.

For high risk work not covered by a licence issued by a recognised authority, the site is required to provide training and assess competency. A record book entry is required once the person has been authorised or found to be competent by or on behalf of the manager to undertake the high risk work.

See r. 4.13 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 for more details

The record book entry should include:

  • name of the person
  • date on which the person was authorised or found to be competent
  • if the person undertook a test or practical trial, the date on which the test or trial was undertaken and the name and signature of the person who carried out the test or trial.

Related information

Below is the list of documents and links that you may find useful.

High risk work (2013) - 2783 Kb

This toolbox presentation explains what you need to know about high risk work on exploration sites. These include licences, legislation and VOC assessments.

Frequently asked questions on construction at mining operations - information sheet - 573 Kb

This information sheet outlines the frequently asked questions on construction at mining operations.

Frequently asked questions on dogging and rigging - information sheet - 829 Kb

This information sheet outlines the frequently asked questions on dogging and rigging.

Key positions of responsibilities for exploration not under control of a Registered Manager - information sheet - 487 Kb

This information sheet outlines the key positions of responsibilities for exploration not under control of a Registered Manager and whether further action is needed.