CICA IS CLOSING THE GAP ON COMPETENCY AND SAFETY

Social Hub | Special Focus

CICA is Closing the Gap on Competency and Safety

One of the most widely used cranes in Australia also falls into the category of highest risk. Articulated cranes are essential for a wide range of tasks in the construction industry. However, the current high-risk work license framework allows slewing crane license holders to operate articulated cranes without any formal training.

Without a specific Heavy Vehicle Licence requirement, many seasoned articulated crane operators have never been properly trained or assessed for driving this style of crane on-road. Over the years there have been a number of serious incidents involving articulated cranes resulting in multiple investigations and a
coronial inquiry.

A recommendation was handed down from the coronial inquiry that a training course be developed to ensure drivers of these cranes have appropriate theoretical and practical knowledge. The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) was approached and received a federal grant through a Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative to develop this program.

For the theoretical component, CICA partnered with the global leader in adaptive learning, Area9 Lyceum, to develop an online training program. Developed with 25 years of cognitive research, Area9 Lyceum’s Rhapsode program is set to change the way the construction industry approaches health and safety.

Adaptive learning is an online delivery method that personalises the training package for each learner using proven data analytics and intelligent technologies to adjust in real-time. In essence, the program will assess individual drivers’ knowledge and adapt the program to focus on gaps in their knowledge, and more importantly, the gaps they may not even realise they have.

The development of the On-Road Articulated Steering Mobile Crane Training Course was completed with industry trainers, equipment manufacturers, state WHS regulators, state and national road authorities, and operators with over 30 years of individual experience operating articulated steering cranes.

“This model provides excellent feedback on what the crane operator does and doesn’t know, which means the solution is tailored,” said CICA’s Chief Executive Officer, Brandon Hitch.
“The course is not ‛one-size-fits-all’, so there is high levels of engagement from each learner. It’s like having a personal teacher sitting next to you and guiding you as you learn.”

“Working with the subject matter experts at CICA, our learning engineers developed the articulated crane module for use in the industry to build competency, reduce risk and improve safety for the drivers and operators of these cranes,” said Dr Khurram Jamil, President – Global Markets for Area9 Lyceum. CICA is confident that the On-Road Articulated Steering Mobile Crane Training Course will improve performance and reduce injuries, lost time, severity and claim costs.

“The development of this standardised course will also assist small and medium businesses that would otherwise not have resources to create this training inhouse,” said Brandon. “We are exploring ways to use the adaptive learning framework for other training initiatives as well.”

Developed with 25 years of cognitive research, Area9 Lyceum’s Rhapsode program is set to change the way the construction industry approaches health and safety.

CICA believes the greatest outcome to date has been raising awareness of the lack of formal training for articulated crane drivers without crippling the industry.

Area9 Lyceum’s adaptive learning technology provides wide-ranging benefits across many industries. “We have seen significant results in those environments where gaps in knowledge have an impact such as construction, utilities, mining, power and health care,” said Khurram. Partners include Melbourne Water, John Holland, ARTC Inland Rail, MetroTunnel CYP, Australian Institute of Health and Safety, NSW Ambulance and globally, Citi Bank, Shell, BP, United Airlines and American College of Physicians.

CICA’s On-Road Articulated Steering Mobile Crane Training Course won the 2022 award for Outstanding Solution for Members managing WHS Risk in SafeWork NSW Work Health and Safety (WHS) Excellence Showcase.

For more information about CICA or the On-Road Articulated Steering Mobile Crane Training
www.cica.com.au

For more information about Area9 Lyceum and adaptive learning
www.area9lyceum.com

Learn more about the CICA On-Road Articulated Steering Mobile Crane Training Course