19 July 2013

Forestry contractors say a safety review into the sector is being organised and derogatory comments following the death of a worker are unhelpful.

A 45-year-old Tokoroa man died in Kinleith Forest, north of Taupo, after being struck by a log on Friday. He is the sixth worker killed in the industry this year.

"It's too early to say what has gone wrong in this tragic accident which has cost this man his life," Forest Industry Contractors Association spokesman John Stulen said.

The association was organising an independent safety review of the industry with the Forest Owners Association, Mr Stulen said.

"We are not putting our heads in the sand - we have asked for help and it will just take time to do the work and do it properly."

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is about to assess every logging contractor, targeting the causes of the most harm in the industry - felling of the trees and their movement to loading sites.

"Contractors and crews can expect enforcement action if they're not meeting their obligations," health and safety operations general manager Ona de Rooy said.

The Labour Party and Council of Trade Unions are calling for a government inquiry into safety in the forestry industry.

"The problems in forestry are much deeper than instructions on how to cut a tree safely, or whether you can tick a box on health and safety lists," Labour health and safety spokesman Darien Fenton said.

"An inquiry, that includes taking a closer look at working hours and conditions, would provide an opportunity to properly examine those problems and come up with some real solutions."

But Labour Minister Simon Bridges told 3News he did not think a government-led inquiry was needed.

"I think this is actually a time for us to do things, not necessarily to discuss and investigate more."