New scaffolder safety program launched

A new training framework has been launched in Western Australia to lift safety levels and cut duplication in scaffolding.

The project, a partnership between CME WA, BHP, Rio Tinto, Shell, and Woodside is focused on slashing duplication by removing the need for scaffolders to have their competency assessed each time they visit a different site.

“The pilot project, which will be rolled out for use across all high risk workers, will provide a framework across the industry for verifying work competency of scaffolders working within the resources sector,” the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA said.

It will allow companies to share information and allow scaffolders to be declared competent after a single assessment.

“Employers have a duty of care to ensure employees and contractors undertaking high risk work have the appropriate license and are competent to undertake their tasks,” CME WA chief executive Reg Howard-Smith said.

“Given the nature of high risk work, it is critical the industry has confidence in the training provided to obtain these licences.

“The Verification of Competency framework, together with the stronger regulatory oversight recently announced by the Training Accreditation Council, will provide the level of assurance needed by industry.”