Tougher exams are just part of the changes to forklift licensing in line with the new Workplace Health & Safety legislation (WHS) due to be implemented nationally on January 1 next year. Ahead of a seminar at the Queensland Materials Handling Show in June, William Henman of AIMM Industrial Training says all states and territories have been working together to standardize the licensing process.

In 2012, the current licence assessment instrument first issued in 1992 will be revised to meet current equipment and work practices. Mr Henman understands the assessment instrument has been rewritten a few times and includes a strong bias towards the construction industry's use of jibs and slings.

"For a high volume distribution grocery warehouse, these requirements seem to be superfluous. For the construction industry or manufacturing industry they may be most essential," he says.

The new assessment is expected to require the student to be able to perform a number of numerical tasks, including area and volume.

"This requirement could prove a challenge for those who were not successful in their schooling or who have come from another country where numeracy is not mandatory," says Mr Henman.

"In addition to this there could be a focus on environmental conditions to include wind, heat, rain and other environmental factors. Load restraint, fatigue and chain of responsibility considerations will most likely be included as they form part of WHS legislation."

"Hopefully, the draft documents will be released shortly and agreed upon before it is due to be implemented nationally."

"A nationally consistent standard and forklift licensing process for this high risk plant can only prove beneficial for workplace safety and compliance."

AIMM Industrial Training will run a seminar on the new forklift licensing requirements at the Queensland Materials Handling Show on Tuesday 21 June as part of a line-up of the free workplace safety seminars over the show's three days. Experts including representatives of Safe Work Australia, Norton Rose law firm, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and Enterprise Connect will explain how to attract funding, what to expect from new WHS laws, how to meet obligations manageably and within budget.

The Queensland Materials Handling Show and co-located Queensland Safety Show and Queensland Manufacturing Show run from June 21 to 23, 2011, at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

For more information, visit materialshandling.net.au, email mhvisitor@aec.net.au or phone Australian Exhibitions & Conferences Pty Ltd on 03 9654 7773.