Construction workers employed to do scaffolding, rigging, dogging, forklift, crane and hoist operations will be the focus of a new WorkSafe campaign.
Inspectors from WorkSafe will be visiting construction sites throughout metropolitan and regional WA to ensure employers, employees and other duty holders are aware of the licensing requirements for people carrying out high-risk work.
The campaign begins on October 1 and follows changes to the licensing requirements for people performing high-risk work that were introduced in 2007.
WorkSafe's director construction, Regional and Primary Industries, Chris Kirwin said anybody with a Certificate of Competency issued prior to 2002 was no longer permitted to perform high-risk work without a High-Risk Work licence.
Mr Kirwin said that by June 30, 2012 Certificates of Competency would be phased out totally and all high-risk workers would need the new licence.
"Construction work is a high-risk industry so it is vital that anybody in these high-risk occupations has the appropriate training," Mr Kirwin said.
"Under the licensing system we can be confident that high-risk workers will have achieved a minimum standard of competency and safety awareness.
"And because the licences are recognised throughout Australia, workers will be able to transfer between states more easily."
Mr Kirwin said that although the forthcoming campaign was primarily an educational exercise, improvement notices would be issued where necessary.