A high risk work licence (HRWL) is required when carrying out certain high risk work including operating cranes, boilers, forklifts, hoists, reach stackers, reciprocating steam engines, rigging, scaffolding and turbines.
A worker must have the right high risk work licence and be over the age of 18 to perform high risk work.
High risk work includes:
- Boom type elevating work platform (WP)
- Concrete placing boom (PB)
- Cranes (CD, CP, CN, CV, CB, CT, CS, C2, C6, C1, C0, RS, earth moving equipment used as a crane )
- Dogging work (DG)
- Forklift (LF, LO)
- Hoists (HM, HP)
- Pressure equipment (BS, BA, TO, ES)
- Rigging operations (RB, RI, RA)
- Scaffolding work (SB, SI, SA)
A worker does not need a HRWL if they are:
- using the machinery for personal use on a private property
- a passenger in machinery (not operating the controls)
- covered by one of the licence exceptions.
PCBU responsibilities
A person conducting the business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure that:
- workers hold the appropriate high risk work licence before carrying out licensed high risk work
- workers are trained, instructed and supervised so they can carry out their work safely
- plant and equipment are inspected, maintained and used according to manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures
- risks associated with plant and high risk work are identified, assessed and controlled
- workers have access to the information they need to operate plant safely
- safety controls are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain effective
- records required under work health and safety laws are kept and maintained.
Read Managing the risks of plant in the workplace: Code of practice for practical guidance to PCBUs on how to manage work health and safety risks associated with plant in the workplace.