Step 1.  Decide which class of truck licence you require: Light Rigid (LR)  between 4.5 and 8 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM); Medium Rigid (MR) over 8 tonnes with 2 axles; Heavy Rigid (HR) over 8 tonne with more than 2 axles; Heavy Combination (HC) prime movers or rigid trucks towing a trailer with GVM greater than 9 tonnes; or multi combination for B-Doubles and road trains.

Step 2.  Get a copy of the Heavy Vehicle Drivers Handbook from your local Motor Registry or RTA outlet.  You will need to study this handbook before taking your knowledge assessment at the RTA.  You can also take practice tests on the RTA website or download an application for your smart phone at http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/tests/index.html

Step 3. Knowledge and eyesight assessments.  Your RTA outlet or Motor Registry will conduct the 45 question knowledge assessment and an eyesight assessment.  A fee is charged each time you attempt the knowledge test so make sure you don’t skip step 2!

Step 4. Practical Instruction.  If you have access to a suitable truck and a licensed driver to supervise you can then go on to practical instruction.  If you don’t have access to a truck you can book with us for your practical instruction.

Step 5. On Road Testing.  Heavy Vehicle Testing can be conducted under the Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA) scheme.  This means that we are able to assist with your practical training and licence assessment.  If you wish to use the HVCBA you will need to obtain a learner log book from the RTA.  This allows our instructor to work with you to build your competency in each of the tasks to be assessed and safe operation of the heavy vehicle under a variety of driving conditions.  When you are ready, your intructor will conduct the Competency Based Assessment.

So there you have it, 5 easy steps.  Of course there are some age and licensing requirements  to be met for the differrent classes and the RTA can provide advice regarding those.

How long does it take?  Once you have successfully completed the knowledge test you may be surprised at how quickly you can upgrade your licence – of course experienced drivers of manual cars generally find it easier to build their skills.  You can gain your upgraded heavy vehicle drivers licence  with an automatic gearbox but as these are relatively rare in trucks we don’t recommend it. Find out more about our driver training courses.

“It is easy for people to be caught out, even on familiar roads,”
“If you think local knowledge will get you through, think again.

An important aspect of driver training is knowing where and when to drive. Find out some more about our driver training courses and how they can help..

In my experience the biggest block to implementing systems ( both those required by law, and common sense systems ) is misunderstanding, lack of data and lack of experience in application. Not knowing how to do something, or a misunderstanding of how to do it can act as a total stop to it being done.  Our working at heights training is intended to remove any confusions and enable application by our students.

I hope that 2012 will bring health, happiness & prosperity to all.

2012 is shaping up to be a big year for us, first of all we have started 2012 in much the same way that we finished 2011, very busy! Our dogging courses are filling quickly along with all of our courses so if you need some information on availability please ring the office (02 4990 2588) and one of our helpful staff will point you in the right direction.

The big news as far as we are concerned is that HPOTS turns 30 this year, this is a milestone in the modern business world and as such we are planning some celebrations throughout the year, so keep an eye on our website and in the papers for details regarding the celebration of HPOTS Training.

Have a great year

Paul Meddows.

Australia’s OHS laws ( similar to International ones ) in general state that everyone in the workplace is responsible for safety, based on what they can “reasonably and practicably control”.  This is a good definition, as there’s a long track record of what is considered to be under a person’s control.

There’s a good article worth reading that came out in September this year - Work safety spins out of control – that gives a good overview of what’s been occurring in Australia recently.

It’s interesting to play with & it can show the value of becoming certified in a number of areas including getting forklift license.

All items of height safety equipment must be inspected prior to each use and their fitness for the intended purpose assessed by a competent person.  They should also be tested periodically dependiong on the manufacturers recommended intervals.  Obviously, the time to find out that your intertia reel is faulty is not when you’re falling from the roof of a building.

Manufacturers and distributors generally offer testing and certification services and can provide advice on certification and testing intervals for the various types of height safety equipment.

The main thing to note, is that accidents like this can be avoided by making sure workers are really well trained both in operating the forklifts and in the safety procedures that should be applied. Neil Quarmby, the general manager of Comcare said “It certainly is a lesson to all employers of the need to implement proper practices that safeguard all employees”. You can read more at www.news.com.au.

These are exactly the types of situations that we at HPOTS are interested in preventing, and education in the most recent safety techniques is covered in the forklift training delivered at HPOTS.  Under the proposed Work Health & Safety legislation due to be introduced on 1 January 2012, officers of a company will be required to undertake ‘due diligence’ and take ‘all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the safety of workers and others on site.  This may require more than simply ensuring operators have a licence, officers will need to ensure people have the operator skills and knowledge to safely perform the required tasks.

A risk assessement should be conducted having regard to the characteristics of the machine, the site and the work to be performed to determine whether a harness and lanyard may be required for persons in the basket of a scissor lift.  If the risk posed by some identified hazard is reduced or eliminated by using a harness and lanyard then these should be required.

Some organisations are implementing ‘blanket’ requirements for the use of harnesses and lanyards without proper identification of hazards and assessment of the risks involved in the use of scissor lifts.  There are circumstances where it is safer not to be tethered to the basket of these machines.  Using such blanket requirements under these circumstances may place operators at greater risk.

As always the risk assessment determines and documents the safest means of completing the task.

Also, when using a vehicle loading crane, ensure that the load is not travelled over the operator while at the controls.  Change sides and use the other controls. Operators can be caught between the load and the truck.

All of the above safety considerations should be included in a lift plan.  This can be very detailed or reasonably basic so long as it includes consideration of all of the hazards that might be encountered during the lift.  It is better to examine potential obstructions or limitations that may prevent the lift from being completed before the load has been hoisted.

Be safe. For more details of the courses run by HPOTS, go to our page about crane training.