New licensing system for high risk work

New arrangements for a national licensing system for high-risk work take effect in South Australia from 1 September, beginning a five-year phase-in period.

These changes will make the training, assessment and licensing of high-risk work consistent across Australia.

The new national licensing system builds upon existing requirements for people who operate items of plant such as a forklift, crane, hoist, elevating work platform or pressure equipment as well as those people who perform scaffolding, dogging or rigging work.

The national licensing regime requires operators to renew their licences after a five-year period. Valid existing Certificates of Competency will continue to be recognised and people will have plenty of time to transfer their current Certificates to the new type of licence. Depending on the issue date of the person’s existing Certificate of Competency or ‘ticket’ a person may have up to five years to transfer across to the new system.

Changes under the new licensing system include:

• A new type of licence for those who perform high risk work - a small plastic card with photo ID, similar to a driver’s licence that will be consistent and valid across Australia.

• The High Risk Work Licence, unlike the present Certificate of Competency or old style ‘ticket’, will require renewal every five years.

• All holders of existing certificates for the classes of high risk work covered by the regulations will be required to progressively transfer their qualification/s over to a new national licence. People who hold a valid qualification will not need to be re-tested.

• The operation of forklifts and order-picking forklifts will be defined as high risk work - existing ‘ticket’ holders will need to apply to SafeWork SA to convert their existing ticket to a new national licence.

• A new class of high risk work will be defined – the operation of a Self-erecting Tower Crane.

Desalination Drinking Water due in April 2011

The State Government has announced the Adelaide Desalination Plant is now expected to start producing drinking water in April 2011.

“While this date is four months later than our original target for first water, the construction program has been affected by the tragic fatality which occurred on site last month," Minister for Water Paul Caica says.

“Following the incident, restrictions were imposed on site by SafeWork SA to undertake early investigations. These have now been released and most construction work has restarted.

“SA Water and AdelaideAqua are coordinating their efforts to ensure all aspects of the construction program are reviewed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all workers on site.

"Both groups are working hard to re-establish the full on-site construction and workforce capacity," he says.

“The recent rain and wind in Adelaide has also impacted on the delay.

“Initial advice from SA Water is that the delay in first water is unlikely to have an impact on the overall cost of the project."

Mr Caica says solid inflows into the Adelaide Hills catchments this winter have ensured that Adelaide’s water security is now in a much better position than it was in 2008 when the decision was made to bring the completion date of the desalination plant forward.

Pretty in Pink Luncheon

Have some fun for a great cause and support one of our members – Christine Penhall of Prestige Wash Systems. This luncheon has been organised by her daughter, Rhiannon.

Sunday 19th September from 12:30pm at the South Adelaide Football Club

Single Ticket: $60

Table of 10: $550 ($55 per person)

Proudly supporting Flinders Medical Centre Foundation Breast Cancer Research

Grab your tickets quickly from Rhiannon: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0422 577 831

Commercial Kitchen for rent

(Community Kitchen) Willunga – available on Thursday, Friday & Saturday

Kitchen is council recognised and has the following:

• 2 x commercial ovens
• 4 large gas burners and large pots (in excess of 100 ltrs)
• Large areas of stainless steel bench space
• Large Hobart dough mixer
• Robot coupe type food processor
• Cool room space
• Storage space
• Food Producers Product and Public Indemnity Insurance at group rate

The kitchen is set up as a Community Kitchen ie different food producers use it on different days. 

 Rent is $120 per day for 8 hours when used regularly. This includes power, cool room and storage.  If longer hours are required, it is $20 per hour. 

 Please call Jacqui Good 0412 182 365 for more information or to arrange to visit the kitchen.