THSA President’s message

BY STUART WALKER

THSA PRESIDENT

TSHA works for safer, consistent licencing for telehandler operators

The telehandler market, like the market for access equipment, faces challenges with supply, shipping, parts and inflation. TSHA members have been working with customers to service their needs and help them navigate through the new financial year and into the future.

President’s message

It was good to see the hire industry getting back together again at HIRE22 in Adelaide. This was a great event that managed to connect key industry stakeholders, from the rental and supplier sides and provide a forum for growing business relationships. Off the exhibition floor, the conference content was excellent and as usual, the networking functions gave everyone a change to catch up in person, which was even more special this year after a prolonged period of online meetings.

On the policy front, the TSHA has been working hard on legislative issues that are inconsistent between the states and territories and can create a number of problems for end users. One focus has been on the review led by WorkSafe Victoria who are investigating an alternative to their current

licencing requirements for telehandlers. The sticking point for end users in Victoria (and the ACT) was and remains the need to hold a crane licence when operating machines with a capacity >3T, and operating with fixed load attachments such as fork types or bale grabs. While a crane licence is useful for jib attachments, it is of little use, and in most cases not even relevant, if the operator is using fixed load attachments, both in the construction and agricultural sectors. The TSHA provided a submission to WorkSafe Victoria and we are awaiting their final decision (which ultimately will need to be signed off by the Minister for Workplace Safety).

Safe Work Australia are reviewing their crane licencing requirements and where telehandlers are used with jib attachments, we come onto their radar for licencing requirements. Therefore, a submission (not dissimilar to the one sent to Work Safe Victoria) was produced so that a consistent approach is at least considered by the country’s safety legislative bodies.

Finally, on the topic of licencing, a letter was sent to the Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy, Corrective Services and Industrial Relations in WA, regarding a new interpretation of licencing requirements for earthmoving machinery. The HRIA liaised with the Civil Contractors Federation and provided a united front in terms of consistent licencing requirements. While telehandlers were not singled out in the interpretation, it was important to provide a position so that earthmoving equipment provided by the hire industry remains a viable option for customers without onerous or non-relevant training prohibiting its use.

The second half of 2022 is already shaping up to be a busy period and while supply and shipping times are still a way off pre-Covid levels, the industry is providing customers with solutions through wider procurement sourcing and refurbishing products, so that we can continue to meet our customer demand in the growing telehandler market.

While a crane licence is useful for jib attachments, it is of little use, and in most cases not even relevant, if the operator is using fixed load attachments.