OPERATORS of telehandlers with a rated capacity greater than three tonnes will be required to hold a WorkSafe-issued High Risk Work Licence (HRWL) under new requirements that commenced in Victoria from July 1.

Non-slewing telehandlers are used across many industries, including agriculture, construction and warehousing.

While this will have a significant impact on Victorian farmers, farm machinery businesses and those involved in transportation of these machines, will also need to ensure that their employees are licensed.

Non-slewing telehandlers are a high-risk plant that require skills and expertise to operate safely.

They also pose significant safety risks to people who use and interact with them.

The good news is existing mobile crane licence training covers skills and knowledge for the safe operation of a non-slewing crane and will be transferrable to a non-slewing telehandler.

A key focus of the mobile crane training is around the risks of lifting freely suspended loads on a fixed or running hook, which can be done with a non-slewing telehandler by using a hook and jib attachment.

The requirements are only applicable in Victoria.

To obtain a licence a person will need to attend three days (22 hours) of training at one of the six (at time of writing) training organisations that have been approved by WorkSafe to deliver the training; the course has been estimated to cost about $2000.

The nearest current one is in Horsham and the issued photo licence will be valid for five years.

The cost to apply for the new licence is 4.5 fee units, which is standard for all HRWLs in Victoria.

The Victorian Government sets the fee unit cost each financial year - based on the 2024-25 fee unit price, this equates to $73.50.

Further information can be found online at bit.ly/3VWPvja