There’s a lot of grey matter around the subject of who is actually competent. So much so, no one knows whether the use of the word is for self-gain and glory or to tick a box. Furthermore, who makes the decision? Even greyer (is that word?).
A Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) holds all the authority, risk and accountability on who is competent.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, section 36, 2 says: “A PCBU must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the health and safety of other persons is not put at risk from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business or undertaking.”
The PCBU has to make the call so that they meet their obligations on this above mentioned section of the Act. The act itself does not detail a competent person or who determines it as they leave it to the PCBU, who must determine competency.
How can a PCBU determine competence when they might not know enough on the matter themselves? That’s where guidance comes in. It provides the support for a PCBU on how to gather the evidence so they can determine a competent person.
The PCBU has a duty to record this information so that it can be referred to at a later date.
That’s where training comes in – it provides the support and evidence that a person is competent and the achievement of the performance criteria of the course is the record.
The NZ Forklift Sector, part of the Hire Industry Association of NZ (HIANZ) released guidance on exactly this subject when referring to forklifts.
A competent person is a person who has acquired, through education, training, qualification or experience or a combination of these, enabling that person to perform the task required. When selecting personnel to operate, supervise, maintain, inspect, perform rescues, and transport forklifts, it is essential to ensure they are appropriately trained, qualified, and experienced for their specific roles to maintain safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.
The Forklift GPG covers the operator, trainer/assessor, technician for maintenance, inspection, modifications and attachments, transporter and supervisor.
If you as a site foreman/ site entry authoriser want guidance on how to determine the competency of anyone relating to forklifts, use this guidance found on the HIANZ website - https://www.hianz.net.nz/forklift/
Whilst there, look at the other guidance available and stationary available to purchase for forklifts.
Read more from Rodney Grant – CEO NZ Forklift Sector in the latest issue here
