Mine workers need certification: Expert

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)