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SUPPORTING NEW E
SUPPORTING NEW EMERGING TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
VEHICLE HOIST ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
Origins
Arising out of an industry long prone to division and fragmentation, The Vehicle Hoist Association of Australia Inc. (VHAA) was established early in 2004 following a successful WorkSafe Seminar on Vehicle Hoists at the Darebin Arts and Community Centre in Melbourne. The idea was to provide a concerted voice at last for the vehicle hoist industry as a whole.
A group of concerned individuals from the industry set up the fledgling organisation to identify and address the pressing needs within the sector and to provide an authoritative source of reliable information on all matters pertaining to vehicle hoists.
This enterprising Victorian association has further plans to ultimately become the National Body for all vehicle hoist related issues, and meanwhile works closely with the WorkSafe Plant Unit and representatives in the formulation of mutual policy guidelines.
Code Of Practice
The VHAA is continually developing a Code of Practice for its members. Important matters include:
• Compliance with Australian Standards
• Ethical behaviour
• Compliance with local OH&S regulations
• Members’ competence
• Quality assurance, workmanship & warranty
• Property maintenance of service records
• Availability of spare parts
• Demonstration, training & documentation for owners/operators.
Contact
PO Box 151,
Altona North 3025
Email: vhaa@bigpond.com
Aims
• To produce training courses that will facilitate the accreditation of vehicle hoist installers and service professionals to a requisite level of competence, and to work within an established code of conduct − thus ensuring industry standards are maintained at the highest levels;
• To standardize all vehicle hoist service and maintenance issues;
• To establish a forum for vehicle hoist service and maintenance issues;
• To disseminate relevant information regarding vehicle hoists to the membership and interested industry stakeholders;
• To become an official advisory body to government and the automotive industry at large − based on the pooling of knowledge, input and expertise.
Recommendations to
Authorities
The VHAA is currently developing recommendations for submission to state based authorities detailing the industry body’s position on items such as:
• Fitting of non-genuine parts and accessories to hoists (after-market modifications, retrofitting of parts such as arm locks, etc.); and
• Defining the maximum design life of a hoist in line with the Australian Standard (when should they be scrapped?).
Membership
The VHAA invites interested parties to become actively involved in the association. Membership is open to anyone participating in the vehicle hoist industry − manufacturers, importers, installers, or service/maintenance, sales and trading personnel. All are welcome. Why not bring your experience and expertise to our next meeting?
Next edition: World-class practitioners, Morris Material Handling, lead the field — investing $18 million annually in product research alone.
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