Almost weekly we hear complaints from different sites, employees driving machines without the appropriate license. Machines driven by drivers licensed for lower tonnage. Drivers using lifting cradles but are not licensed for the attachment. No harnesses worn for working at heights, leave alone training for working at heights. Seatbelts clipped in at the back of the driver. Lifting machines used as taxi’s in the warehouse. These are just a few of the horrendous stories we hear.
Certified Identification Medicals Previous carry card Qualifications
Previous carry card Medicals Qualifications
Medicals Qualifications Certified Identification Previous carry card
Documents
Why is all this necessary?
What does this have to do with Lifting Machine Operators (LMO) dying or severely injured?
Why do we have an Act for LMO that outlines specifically how training should be done – National Code of Practice (NCOP)?
As much as this blog is based on the necessity for LMO compliance requirements it should hold true for all compliance training in the workplace.
We will first explain why each of the above documentations are required and move onto other aspects that lead to behaviour/practices in the workplace.
Certified Identification
This is to ensure that the correct details are uploaded on the National learners Records Database (NLRD). All learners that have done accredited training should have records of the training and credits attained. The NLRD which is linked to South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is almost a passport of all credit bearing training done which includes your matric/TVET’’s/ University/Skills Development providers etc.
So, are you and your employees on the NLRD???
Medicals
Medicals should be a standard in any company, from ergonomics of an administrator, lung cancer in chemical producing factories to kidney issues related to driving LMO. Medicals as an entrance to employment give the employer a brief background into the health status of the employee. It also highlights underlying conditions that the employee has prior to joining the company. Ongoing medicals assist in making sure employees are in good health and can continue with the task at hand. The purpose of medicals is to ensure the person being trained is “fit for work” and has been signed of by a medical practitioner. The legal ramifications of not doing these pre-checks can be costly to the company.
Previous Carry Card
This is required for several reasons:
- Firstly, it shows that you have been found competent for this unit standard and therefore treated as a refresher
- The carry card also has pertinent information that is required to recertify a learner
- Capacity previously trained
- Attachments
- Code (F1- F12)
- It is also an independent check by the current provider to ascertain if the previous provider was indeed accredited to do the training
Evidence of Highest Qualification attained
This is required for any academic training. Every qualification or unit standard has an entry level in order to do the course/qualification. This is generally termed “Learning assumed to be in place” and will set out the criteria for entrance. The below example is for unit standard 242974 – Operate counter- balance lift truck
The Accident
The circumstance pertaining to the death of the Reach Truck Driver in a CPT warehouse is unknown at this stage. The distribution centre has been shut down until a full investigation has been done which is normal procedure. When a death occurs, SAPS is involved as well as Department of Labour (DOL).
Both parties would look at all evidence and circumstances that lead to the incident. The DOL will do an audit of the entire process and interview management and other employees to further understand the working environment and if the risk could have been mitigated. The starting point to this process is the DOL requesting certification for the driver and checking its validity with areas covered above with regard to carry cards. They will also ascertain if the provider is accredited and on the relevant SETA database. If this is in order, they would then look at the standard operating procedures and compare this to the current working environment and if this is indeed how staff operate. Basically, a theory versus practical assessment. They would also look at operating hours, fatigue working condition etc.
The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance of complying with the required information. It also highlights the importance of quality training and assessments that measure the true ability of the learner.
Ensure you are using accredited providers and avoid taking short cuts for the purpose of a certificate. Most companies want to tick the box for audits and ensure they have the relevant certificate but at what cost? Any audit can use a training register to verify that training has been done.
We all want to go home in “one piece” – lets ensure that we are compliant with the Regulations that are in place for our protection.
If you have any queries or questions regarding the above content email: Sandesh.s@tmskpi.com