Mine workers need certification: Expert

JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Mining Experts suggested yesterday that a system be developed to certify and standardize the technical qualifications of heavy machinery operators in the country.

Gde Suratha, an executive of the association, told a seminar yesterday that such a certification and standardization system is required to make it easier for companies to recruit operators of heavy equipment.

Suratha said such a system is also required to facilitate the movement of machinery operators within the ASEAN region or even worldwide.

He added that so far only PT United Tractors and PT Freeport Indonesia have been implementing a certification system for heavy machinery operators which is built into their own in-house training programs.

He said that currently Indonesia has no standardization and certification for mining workers, including heavy equipment operators and technicians.

The state-owned companies PT Tambang Timah and PT Tambang Batubara have a standardization for the qualifications of their workers but only in terms of occupational safety, he said.

He said that the standardization should be based on the International standards such as those used in the United States and Australia. (04)