Verification of competency being performed

What is a Verification of Competency?

Verification of Competency (VOC) are crucial to ensuring that workers possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their job safely and efficiently. These assessments can include theoretical and practical evaluations, as well as observations of a worker’s performance in real-world scenarios.

By having a VOC system in place, companies can ensure that their workers are competent and qualified to perform their tasks, reducing the risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities on job sites. It also helps to ensure that workers are up to date with the latest regulations and safety standards in their respective industries.

In addition, VOCs can improve the overall quality of work on a job site, as workers who have undergone these assessments are more likely to have a higher level of expertise and confidence in their abilities. This can lead to increased productivity, fewer mistakes, and higher quality outcomes for construction and mining projects.

Overall, the importance of Verifications of Competency cannot be overstated in the construction and mining industries. By ensuring that workers have the necessary skills and knowledge, companies can promote a safe and efficient work environment while maintaining high standards of quality and productivity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

In the training and assessment industry, it is crucial to undergo Verifications of Competency (VOC) through an organisation that comprehends the competency requirements. The benefit of having the assessment conducted by a third-party (A Registered Training Organization) is the enforcement of compliance and authoritative measures. This approach ensures that the assessment is objective, without any biased opinions, and the worker’s ability to competently perform the task is accurately evaluated.

A VOC can only be conducted by a person who is qualified and experienced in the task that is being assessed.

The frequency of VOCs can vary depending on the industry and the task being performed. Some industries may require VOCs to be completed annually, while others may require them every 2 years. Employers may also request a VOC for site specific machinery or different makes & models of the same machine due to the nature of varying controls. 

VOC assessments are available for the following High Risk Work Licences:

  • C0 Slewing Mobile Crane (over 100 tonnes)
  • C1 Slewing Mobile Crane (up to 100 tonnes)
  • C2 Slewing Mobile Crane (up to 20 tonnes)
  • C6 Slewing Mobile Crane (up to 60 tonnes)
  • CB Bridge and Gantry Crane
  • CN Non-slewing Mobile Crane (greater than 3 tonnes) 
  • CP Portal Boom Crane
  • CS Self-erecting Tower Crane
  • CT Tower Crane
  • CV Vehicle Loading Crane
  • DG Dogging 
  • HM Materials Hoist (cantilever platform)
  • HP Hoist (Personnel and Materials) 
  • LF Forklift Trucks 
  • LO Order Picking Forklift Trucks 
  • PB Concrete Placing Boom
  • RA Advanced Rigging
  • RB Basic Rigging  
  • RI Intermediate Rigging  
  • RS Reach Stacker
  • SA Advanced Scaffolding
  • SB Basic Scaffolding 
  • SI Intermediate Scaffolding  
  • WP Boom Type Elevating Work Platform 

PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING PIECES OF EVIDENCE AND EQUIPMENT:

  • A CURRENT, RECOGNISED STATEMENT OF ATTAINMENT FOR UNIT TO BE VOC’D or;
  • A VALID HRWL IN THE CHOSEN AREA WHERE A VOC IS REQUIRED

A Verification of Competency can only be performed when a candidate holds the current Unit of Competency. 

If the participant does not hold a unit of competency, then full Training and Assessment in the Unit of Competency is required, and if successful, resulting in a Statement of Attainment with the outcome ‘Competent’ (Accredited).

Changing employer can trigger an update of your VOC; If you don’t have a current VOC for the specified piece of plant you’re required to operate, then your new employer may require you to complete a relevant VOC for all classes of High Risk Work Licences or Machinery Tickets held.

You must have the relevant high risk work (HRW)  licence, unless:

  • the work is carried out while completing training for the relevant licence class and you are being supervised by a licensed person
  • you have applied for the licence and are waiting for a decision on your application
  • the work is carried out at the workplace solely for the manufacture, testing, trialing, installation, commissioning, maintenance, servicing, repair, alteration, demolition or disposal of the plant or moving the plant within the workplace and the plant is operated or used without a load except when standard weight loads with predetermined fixing points are used for calibration of the plant
  • you are setting up or dismantling a crane or hoist and you hold the appropriate rigging licence
  • you are carrying out work with a heritage boiler.

 WorkSafe.qld.gov.au

Discontinued licences that were previously issued by Workplace Health and Safety are:

  • building maintenance unit
  • bulk loader or ship loader
  • internal combustion locomotive
  • refrigeration plant
  • trencher
  • crane chaser
  • dragline
  • straddle carrier
  • cable way
  • explosive power tool
  • front-end loader/backhoe
  • front-end loader
  • skid steer loader
  • excavator
  • dozer
  • bridge or gantry crane with 3 or less powered operations
  • road roller
  • scraper
  • grader.

If you are conducting a business or undertaking, where a licence was previously required, you still have a duty to provide information, training, instruction and/or supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety of all persons.

 

A VOC can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the complexity of the task being assessed.