It is a legal requirement to hold a valid licence if you operate a forklift.

SafeWork SA is reminding workers to convert qualifications issued on or before 31 December 2004 to the national high-risk work licence before the 1 September 2014 deadline.

SafeWork SA executive director Bryan Russell says failure to convert to the national licence would prevent people from being able to legally operate high-risk equipment.

"It is a legal requirement to hold a valid licence if you operate a forklift, crane and hoist or pressure equipment as well as if you perform scaffolding, rigging and dogging work," says Russell.

He adds that anyone with an OHS Certification Australia Card, old tickets or a Notice of Satisfactory Assessment - NSA - issued on or before December 2004 needs to convert to a national licence before September.

"Converting to the national licence is straightforward - simply call the High Risk Work Conversion Line on 1300 975 909 and have your original certificates, tickets or NSA to hand.

"Multiple high-risk work qualifications can be converted and listed on the new national high-risk work licence that includes a photograph of the licensed operator, and all for a single fee."

The national Licence to Perform High Risk Work was introduced in South Australia in September 2010 with a five-year transition period for workers to convert their existing qualifications.