FAQ
Do I need a licence to operate a scissor lift, vertical lift?
Although you do not need a Worksafe "Licence to Perform High Risk Work", as part of an employers "Duty of Care", the operator will need to complete training on any equipment that they use. The EWPA Yellow card allows the student to operate Scissor Lifts and Vertical Lifts to any height and Boom Lifts and Trailer Mounted Boom Lifts to an 11m platform height. If there is an accident on this type of equipment Worksafe will ask for proof of training during the investigation, the EWPA Yellow Card, with the correct categories, is proof of training.
What sort of fines are issued if there is an accident on a scissor lift and the operator doesn’t have any proof of training?
Depending on the extent of the accident, and these fines can vary greatly and change every year, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 says that if an employers fails in their duty of care they can be penalized a maximum of $990 000.00, and a jail term may also apply. For employees the maximum penalty is $250 000.00 and a jail term. Just to give an example of the fines, if you fail to fill out a log book on a EWP (Boom or Scissor Lift) the standard fine issued is around $500.00.
When do I use outriggers?
You will find details from time to time on the data plates on a lot of access equipment with figures relating to angles you can drive on at height when outriggers are fitted to the machine. Worksafe Victoria stipulates that wherever outriggers are fitted they must be used before elevation, that is not just limited to muddy or sloping ground, even if you are on a flat concrete surface if you have outriggers on the machine you must deploy them before going up to height.
Do I need to wear a harness in a scissor lift?
Under the Australian Standards you don’t need to wear a harness in a scissor lift or a vertical lift, although some sites and company’s have rules and policies that go over and above the Australian standards. In this case you would have to follow those rules and procedures and wear a harness.
Is the EWPA Yellow Card nationally recognised training?
Yes, it is a nationally accredited (No: VQA 21629) scheme run in cooperation with Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT). There are 460 assessors in all states and territory’s Australia wide currently delivering the EWPA course, there have been over 100 000 EWPA Yellow Card licences issued in Australia since the EWPA started delivering the course. Worksafe inspectors in Victoria constantly refer workers and employers to the EWPA when asked about training on EWP’s.
