In high-risk industries like mining, construction, and manufacturing, ensuring that employees are competent and capable of performing their tasks safely is not just a priority. It’s a legal obligation.
The increasing complexity of workplace operations and strict regulatory frameworks make verifying competency more critical than ever. For Australian businesses, meeting these competency requirements is essential for compliance with Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. However, Verification of Competency (VOC) assessments also protects your workforce and minimises operational risks.
In this article, we explore what verifications of competency are, who enforces them, requirements that organisations need to meet, and benefits to your business. We also dive into the process itself and methods that you can use to verify competence.
What is a Verification of Competency?
A Verification of Competency (VOC) is an independent assessment that evaluates the knowledge and skills of employees who already hold certifications and licenses. It confirms their ability to perform the duties and responsibilities for which they are qualified.
In high-risk industries, simply understanding risks and challenges is not enough. Employees must demonstrate that they can apply their learning in real-world environments. This ensures they can make quick decisions, safely operate equipment, and respond effectively to dynamic situations. This is more than just a good business practice but is a legal requirement. Organisations are obliged to take reasonable measures to ensure staff are adequately trained and up-to-date on workplace safety practices.
Undertaking a VOC highlights a company’s commitment to the health and safety of its employees and the public. It helps reduce the risk of workplace accidents, equipment damage, and operational downtime, ultimately promoting a safer and more efficient work environment. In some industries, companies are required to perform these verifications as part of their pre-employment checks before someone is hired or allowed onsite.
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In Australia, the enforcement of Verification of Competency (VOC) falls primarily under the framework of WHS laws. While there is no single national law explicitly mandating VOC, businesses are legally required to ensure that workers are competent and safe in their roles. As a result, many companies implement VOC as part of their compliance with broader WHS obligations.
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- Safe Work Australia: Safe Work Australia sets national model WHS laws and guidelines. However, each state and territory has its own regulatory body responsible for enforcement.
- State and Territory Regulators: These agencies enforce WHS laws and may impose penalties for non-compliance, including failures to ensure workers are competent.
- Industry Bodies: In high-risk industries such as construction, mining, and transport, companies are required to comply with specific industry safety legislation. This often includes conducting VOC assessments for roles that involve operating machinery or working in hazardous conditions. While these bodies may not directly enforce VOC, it is typically part of meeting the required safety standards.
What Industries Need to Conduct VOC?
A VOC assessment is particularly important in high-risk industries where workplace and public safety are priorities. Any role that requires the operation of heavy machinery, hazardous materials or high-stakes operations will need to be filled by an employee with high competency. Examples include:
- Mining: VOC assessment is essential for workers operating complex machinery in hazardous conditions to comply with safety regulations.
- Construction: Heavy equipment operators and workers performing high-risk tasks must complete VOC to ensure site safety.
- Transport & Logistics: Verification of Competency ensures that drivers and cargo handlers can operate vehicles and equipment safely, reducing transportation risks.
- Oil & Gas: Given the significant risks in extraction and refinery operations, VOC ensures that workers are qualified to prevent accidents and equipment failures.
- Manufacturing & Heavy Industry: A VOC assessment confirms that machine operators and maintenance staff are skilled in safely managing equipment to prevent accidents.
- Aviation: Ground staff and maintenance crews undergo VOC to meet stringent safety and regulatory requirements.
- Utilities: Workers handling electricity, gas, or water services require VOC training to demonstrate safe and competent operation, preventing accidents and service disruptions.
- Healthcare settings: VOC can assess the competency of healthcare professionals in performing critical procedures, particularly in emergency settings.
Verification of Competency (VOC) Requirements
Since Verifications of Competency are instrumental to ensuring safe and compliant operations in high-risk industries, there are specific requirements that businesses must meet. These focus on ensuring that employees prioritise their own safety and the safety of others while complying with legal obligations.
Acceptable Evidence
In many states and territories, certain high-risk roles, such as operating heavy machinery or working at heights, require a high-risk work licence. These licences, issued by local authorities, serve as acceptable evidence of an individual’s competency for specific tasks.
In industries where licenses aren’t required, a statement of attainment from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) indicates the completion of a relevant unit of competency. A completed, documented and signed VOC assessment from an accredited company is also acceptable evidence of competency.
Compliance with Industry Standards
- Mining Safety Legislation. WHS regulations like the Mine Health and Safety Act of 2004 mandate that mining operations adhere to stringent health and safety standards. These laws require mine operators to maintain safe work environments, identify potential risks and implement control measures to protect workers.
- Construction Industry Training Standards. The National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry and High-Risk Work Licence require appropriate licences for operating machinery and performing high-risk tasks. These regulations ensure worker competency, with VOC assessments often used to verify ongoing qualifications.
- Transportation. The National Heavy Vehicle Law and Chain of Responsibility laws set training and competency requirements for heavy vehicle operators and logistics personnel. These laws ensure that all parties in the supply chain are responsible for maintaining safety standards, with VOC assessments confirming qualifications and reducing risks.
- Oil and Gas. The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 mandates strict safety practices for offshore operations. Alongside international standards from the IADC and ISO 14001, VOC confirms the competency of workers in hazardous environments, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
Documentation Requirements
Organisations must maintain comprehensive records of employee competencies to ensure compliance with audits and regulatory standards. Documents required to demonstrate competency include:
- Proof of Qualifications and Prior Training: Copies of employees’ certificates, licences, or statements of attainment to verify their qualifications and training history.
- Record-Keeping of VOC Assessments: Detailed records of completed VOC assessments, including the date, assessor, and outcome, to demonstrate ongoing competency.
- VOC Certifications: Companies should retain copies of any certificates issued following VOC assessments to confirm that workers meet the necessary standards for their roles. These certifications may be valid for anywhere from 2-5 years, depending on the industry, equipment or role being assessed.
Role of VOC Assessors
Assessors must be qualified and experienced in the industry or equipment they are evaluating to ensure that assessments are thorough and unbiased. They should possess both industry-specific knowledge and formal assessor qualifications to accurately judge whether an individual can safely and effectively perform their job duties. Proper documentation of assessor qualifications and assessment outcomes is also essential for compliance.
Frequency of VOC Assessments
The frequency of VOC assessment depends on a number of factors including industry guidelines, company policy, and the type of equipment or role being assessed. However, they are especially important when new equipment is introduced, roles change, or regulatory updates occur.
In many high-risk industries, employees undertake refresher training for their VOC every 2 to 5 years. It’s also common to perform a VOC assessment after an extended absence, or if specific concerns about competency arise.
Risk Assessment and Management
It’s important for businesses to conduct ongoing risk assessments to identify areas where training or competency evaluations may be needed. Regularly reviewing operational risks, equipment usage, and work environments can help you determine whether current employees’ skills are sufficient to mitigate risks. This will help you to prevent workplace incidents by ensuring that only competent, qualified individuals are assigned to high-risk tasks.
Benefits of Verification of Competency
For Companies
- Mitigates Risk of Accidents. By ensuring that only qualified and competent employees perform high-risk tasks, you can reduce the risk of workplace accidents. This in turn can save on medical expenses and reduce injury-related costs.
- Avoid Non-Compliance Fines. Since businesses have legal requirements for ensuring the health and safety of their workforce and the public, putting VOC assessments in place can help them to avoid legal penalties and regulation fines.
- Demonstrates Commitment To Safety. Beyond the legal requirements, implementing VOCs shows that you prioritise your employees’ health and safety. This can help to boost morale and trust in workplace safety protocols.
- Reduces Downtime. Errors and accidents can quickly lead to operational disruptions, which cost companies time and money. By ensuring employees have the necessary competencies to perform their duties, you can maximise uptime and business continuity.
- Simplifies Regulatory Audits. Conducting regular VOC assessments ensures that you will have the necessary records and documentation of training in case of an audit. This improves overall compliance for your business and simplifies processes.
- Apply The Correct Levels Of Workplace Supervision. There are three levels of supervision – direct, periodic and minimal. By verifying your employees’ competencies, you can ensure that your staff are assigned the correct supervision according to their needs.
- Identify Existing Skills And Gaps. Having a thorough understanding of the skills and competencies within your organisation will better prepare you for implementing relevant gap training initiatives. This will ensure that your business has the skills required to meet existing and future demands. Learn more about identifying skill gaps to make sure you are doing it properly.
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Learn more about our Skills Matrix solution.- Meeting Insurance Requirements. Many insurers require evidence of employee competency or offer reduced rates for employers who are able to mitigate liability risks. VOCs help businesses to meet these standards and effectively manage their insurance premiums.
For Employees
- Improves Confidence. Verifications of Competency give employees the confidence to work productively and effectively by reassuring them their skills meet the required standards for performing their job safely. This confidence boosts morale and job satisfaction, making employees less likely to leave your business.
- Promotes Continuous Professional Development. Many professionals seek roles that allow them to advance their skills and careers. VOC assessments enable employees to demonstrate and enhance their abilities, which may support applications for raises, promotions, or succession opportunities. This focus on continuous professional development is a hallmark of a strong employer.
- Ensures Job Security. Even for employees not focused on career advancement, Verifications of Competency are valuable. VOCs reassure employers that workers possess and maintain the necessary skills for their role, offering a sense of job security in fast-paced, high-risk environments.
What Does the VOC Process Involve?
Pre-Assessment
The first step of the VOC process is to identify the competencies that are required for specific roles within your organisation. Performing a skills audit can help you to better understand your unique needs, and where Verifications of Competency are legal obligations.
From there, you can review specific employees’ existing qualifications and prior experience, and put together a body of evidence from training. This will help you to identify which individuals require VOCs or need to undertake refresher training.
Assessment
The next step of the process is the assessments themselves. The types of assessment may include practical assessments, simulations, and on-the-job evaluations. It’s also important to include theory assessments to ensure employees understand necessary safety protocols and regulations.
Bringing in an accredited assessor to conduct practical and theory assessments and observe real-time task execution ensures an unbiased and fair evaluation of employee competency. While bringing in an assessor is not always a strict legal requirement, it is a highly recommended practice for compliance, safety and impartiality.
Post Assessment
Once a Verification of Competency assessment has been completed, whether internally or by an accredited assessor, you will receive feedback and recommendations for next steps. It’s critical to maintain documentation of these results and certifications.
There are four potential VOC outcomes:
- Competent. This indicates that the employee has the required skills, knowledge and abilities to perform their role safely and effectively. No additional training is needed, and a business can be confident in the worker’s ability to handle high-risk risks.
- Not Yet Competent. This result indicates that an employee has not met the required competency standards and will need further training or support to address skill gaps. They may be restricted from certain tasks until they can be pass a reassessment.
- Conditional Competency. This means that an employee showed competency in some areas, but requires further assessment or supervision when performing a particular task. Certain limitations may apply to the work that they can complete.
- Reassessment Required. If a VOC assessment is inconclusive or couldn’t be completed for any reason, a reassessment required result will be given. This could be due to inadequate conditions or further practice being required.
