Telescopic Handler – Licensing /Training Requirements Explained

What is a Telehandler?

A telescopic handler or telehandler is a mobile all terrain multi-purpose machine fitted with a variable height/reach telescopic boom and a lifting attachment. The most common attachment are forks, but telehandlers can be fitted with a variety of attachments for different types of loads.

Some other attachment types available are:

•          Work Platforms

•          Earth moving buckets

•          Crane/Lifting jibs

Do I need a high risk work licence to operate a Telehandler, and if so, which one?

As a telehandler can be used for a variety of tasks and applications with different attachments there is a lot of confusion and misinformation as to what type of training or licensing is required, if any.

The WHS/OHS regulators in each state have generally agreed that a telehandler will fall under the high risk work (HRW) licence category of either non-slewing or slewing mobile crane if they have a lifting capacity greater than 3 tonne and are fitted with a crane jib lifting attachment. The class of HRW licence required for this configuration is CN (Non Slewing) or C2 or above (Slewing)

NOTE: If you hold a C2 or above class, this also encompasses the requirements for CN class.

If the telehandler has a work platform attachment and a boom length longer than 11m, then a WP class HRW licence WP class must also be held by the operator, as well as the necessary telescopic handler training stated in this document.

Throughout Australia there are some variations to the training and licencing parameters.

On the TSHA, website there is matrix of training and licensing requirements for each state/territory.

Isn’t my Forklift licence good enough?

No! Forklifts and Telehandlers have very different operating capabilities, limitations and characteristics.

They are also classified under different Australian Standards (Forklifts AS 2359:2-2013 Powered Industrial Trucks/ Telehandlers AS 1418.19 – Cranes, hoists and winches – Telescopic handlers

Forks are just one type of attachment on a telehandler. Having a forklift licence (and experience) will be useful if you are picking up and dropping off pallets, but inexperienced/untrained telehandler operators are not mindful of the interaction that boom angle, boom extension, load weight, and longitudinal and lateral slope can have on the stability of the telehandler.

Why would I need a Gold Card?

A regular question asked is ‘why do I need a gold card when my State WHS/OHS regulator has just told me that I do not need to have a licence?’

If the telehandler does not fall under the HRW licencing requirements, then that answer is partially correct.

The correct answer should be that with any type of plant operations that do not fall under High Risk Work Licensing that although you may not have to have a HRW Licence, there are still instruction/training requirements that will need to be met in order to comply with WHS Law.

All states/territories (except WA and Vic) now have uniform Workplace Health and Safety laws and regulations in place. These are referred to as the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, which aim to protect the health, safety and welfare of people at work. In the Act, it is clearly stated that there is a duty of care to ensure workplace safety, and specifically mention the following:

• WHS Act 2011
• Duties of a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) – Primary duty of care:
• A PCBU has the primary duty of care to ensure the health and safety of workers while they are at work in the business or undertaking.
• A PCBU is also responsible for ensuring work being carried out does not entail undue risk to the health and safety of others.

This means the PCBU must:

• Provide and maintain a safe work environment, safe plant and structures;
• Provide and maintain safe systems of work;
• Ensure the safe use, handling and storage of plant, structures and substances;
• Provide instruction, training, information and supervision; and
• Monitor the health of workers and conditions at the workplace.

A PCBU will need to show some form of proof that the operator has been instructed on the safe use of a telehandler. Verbal instruction is not an effective method of training as it lacks proof of training evidence.

The Gold Card training program has been developed by the Telescopic Handler Association as a means of helping industry to comply with the WHS Act.

The Gold Card is not a licence. The Gold Card is evidence that the holder has successfully completed a structured training course.

What training options are available?

The Telescopic Handler Association (TSHA) Gold Card is Nationally Recognised Training mapped to the unit of competence RIIHAN309E Conduct Telescopic Materials Handler Operations.

Note: Prior to 1 February 2014 the TSHA had provided Gold Card duty of care training which was not mapped to a unit of competence. An example of the pre and post February 2014 Gold Cards can be seen at the bottom of this page. The old Gold Cards are valid proof of training, but in recent years there has been an industry shift from making do with non-accredited training to requiring Nationally Recognised Training. Nationally Recognised Training includes training modules within a nationally endorsed Training Package, known as units of competency, and upon successful completion; a Statement of Attainment is issued.

What if I do nothing?

To disregard the law (the Act is law) can result in hefty fines and or jail.