9 October 2013

Forestry companies in Otago and Southland are defending their industry's safety record following criticism this week from the Labour Party.

Labour's forestry spokesman, Shane Jones, said the "carnage" in the industry had to be addressed. Under a Labour government, businesses found to be grossly negligent in health and safety could face criminal proceedings.

Labour has a Bill on corporate manslaughter entered in the private member's ballot. If enacted, it would apply to businesses of all sizes and across every industry.

However, the Bill was criticised this week by southern forestry stakeholders, who were concerned it was too narrow.

Winton-based Craigpine forestry manager Brett Armour said there had been significant improvements in the forestry industry over the past 10 years. Large companies already had extensive health and safety practices and they continued to make a "huge effort" at improving them.

"We've made huge improvements and safety is a part of our culture now, but it's an ongoing process and both parties need to buy into it. Everyone takes it very seriously and we work on it all the time."

Balclutha-based Wenita Forest Products chief executive David Cormack said the bill was not just for forestry but would have an impact on all businesses.

"It is clearly an issue that we are aware of and we are watching this with great interest, but we have no further comment at this stage."

The ministry has begun to carry out more than 300 workplace assessments of contracting operations throughout the country as part of the recent Code of Practice for Safe Forest Harvesting.

by Michael Schwer, Southland Times. To read the foll story, click here.