The forestry industry has developed key recommendations to improve safety in their operations.
Safety is a concern of all loggers, as we operate in a high risk environment. New Zealand loggers must fell and handle large trees on increasingly steep slopes, which raise the risk level further. Loggers are watching developments in New Zealand with interest, as the recommendations developed often have global applications. The recent accidents in New Zealand forestry have pulled together the key stakeholders to seriously address the root causes of the high accident rate. The Independent Forestry Safety Review Final Report has been produced, and Logging-on has summarised the Review Panels recommendations:
- A Forestry Leaders Action Group (FLAG) and Safety Action Plan should be formulated to drive the long-term improvements across the supply chain. The plan must focus on delivering the recommendations from the review.
- Develop a charter or pledge for industry leaders to commit to action for change. Forest industry leaders have stated commitment and support for change. Within six months of the final report, these commitments will be drafted in a charter or pledge, against which organisations and individuals can be held to account.
- Develop leadership capabilities across the supply chain. Industry leaders will build their health and safety leadership capabilities.
- Develop worker participation, engagement and representation frameworks. Systems should be put in place that allow for worker participation, engagement and representation regarding safety and health issues.
- Deliver clear and consistent standards to support safe work and safe workplaces. Clear and consistent standards must be in place for risk identification, assessment and management, and the design, testing, modification and maintenance of equipment and machinery on the forest block.
- Establish an industry-led contractor certification scheme and supporting systems. The certification scheme should be developed in stages over a three year period.
- Develop an enhanced approach to workplace assessments and investigations. Regulatory bodies should enhance their approach to assessments and investigations to allow all factors influencing an accident to be identified and remedied. Also, suitable communication with all those impacted by a serious injury or fatality should take place.
- Develop an enhanced approach to data collection, evaluation and information sharing. Information about near-misses, serious injuries and fatalities is shared in a meaningful and timely way to improve health and safety outcomes.
Source: www.ifsr.co.nz