ACCESS IN ACTION
As we approach the end of the financial
year it has been a busy time at the
association. By all reports, business
confidence seems to be at reasonable
levels even though we have been
presented with a tough budget and a drop
in consumer confidence levels post budget.
Hopefully the strength in confidence will
continue and see us through to the end of
2014.
A number of projects have kept the
executive team busy. First, PPSA has been
ongoing and now there is a joint team
approach with the HRIA, a number of
meetings have been held in Canberra to
push the futility of the program. We are
starting to hear stories of companies who
have lost equipment to administrators, as
the correct registration procedures weren’t
adopted. So if you are unsure of what to
do or have any questions please do not
hesitate to contact the EWPA.
As mentioned in previous editions the
apprenticeship program dedicated to the
elevating work platform industry is now up
and running with a number of apprentices
having switched to our program. I
would encourage you to either employ
apprentices or transfer any apprentices
you have to our own EWPA Apprenticeship
scheme.
Over the next couple of months we will be
sending out information regarding our new
‘Registered Inspector’ program. A number
of our members are being asked on
building sites to confirm their service techs
are authorised to work on their EWPs. In
some cases they have been refused entry.
This new program should alleviate any
concerns.
During May the HRIA held its annual
convention and by all accounts the new
EWPA National Executive
President: Rick Mustillo
Tel: 02 9817 7610
Past President: Tim Nuttall
Tel: 03 9547 7700
NSW President: John Glover
Tel: 02 9735 7600
VIC President: Tim Hille
Tel: 03 9555 1116
QLD President: Mitch Ely
Tel: 07 5431 4000
ELEVATING WORK
PLATFORM
ASSOCIATION OF
AUSTRALIA
PO Box 1304
MONA VALE
NSW 1660
Tel: 02 9998 2222
Fax: 02 9998 2299
Telescopic Handler
Association of
Australia
National President: Stuart Walker
T: 02 9517 3174
SA President: Ben Pritchard
Tel: 0407 911 935
WA President: Will Reilly
Tel: 08 9456 4400
Executive Director: Phil Newby
Tel: 02 9998 2222
National Operations Director:
James Oxenham: 0410 704 979
Training Director:
Phil Middleton Tel: 02 9622 6060
Technical Director: Peter Wenn
Tel: 03 9568 7211
Authorised, competent and informed
president's
message
format of indoor/outdoor was a success
with a number of manufacturers reporting
sales. It was a great opportunity to test a
range of equipment including Genie’s new
135. Next year the HRIA convention will
be held in Adelaide along similar lines. I
know the team in Mona Vale has started
the planning so watch out for further
details in 2015.
Our state Presidents have been reporting
their recent meetings have been very
successful. Please get behind your
Presidents and attend the meetings; we
have had a number of great presentations
and product information days. It is also a
great way to catch up and network with
suppliers and customers.
On the EWPA executive board we
welcome Peter Davis who replaces Nicko
Kokkaris. Nicko has moved on from
his current position at Coates and has
resigned from the board. We wish Nicko all
the best in his future endeavors and thank
him for his efforts over the past years.
You may have heard Dave Single has not
been well over the past couple of months.
I am sure you all will join me in wishing
Dave a speedy recovery and to see him at
our state meetings soon.
See you at a meeting soon.
Rick Mustillo
EWPA National President
Harmonisation & Licences
The EWPA advises the latest news on
licences is the recent SA prosecution was
dismissed against an EWPA member, for
the second time. This means a tow truck
licence is not required to drive a tilt tray
in SA, if not carrying motor vehicles. The
only state where this doesn’t apply is WA
since NSW, ACT, QLD and now SA have
harmonised
Qld High Risk Licence
Exemptions
Queensland has now published the
exemption note that covers the loading
and unloading of EWPs from trucks
which are rated as requiring a high risk
licence to operate. The information sheet
can be viewed on the EWPA website.
Verification of Competency
The EWPA sees the need to instruct
operators in the use of specific types
of EWPs as becoming a difficult issue
on major sites in all states. The EWPA
has been discussing how the training
program can be adopted to meet
this demand. Some options include
increasing the product categories. eg:
‘Slab Scissors’ and ‘Super Booms’.
(See Training Director message p26 & 27)
New State Presidents
Ben Pritchard from BPF Equipment
has taken on the role of President, SA
Division.
The Vic Division AGM was held in March
and Tim Hille was re-elected unopposed
as President of the Victorian Division.
EWP Apprenticeship
The Apprenticeship Scheme is running
successfully in VIC. NSW is in the
process of finalising funding approvals.
Qld is also on board with its prior
qualification as ‘Automotive Specialist
EWP’. WA and SA have not yet taken on
the challenge. Force Access has its first
apprentice qualified under the scheme.
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ACCESS IN ACTION • AUGUST 2014
