7 August 2014

Competenz forestry manager Mark Preece says that with the right training, the accident and fatality rate for forest workers can be reduced. But the bottom line is that forest harvesting is dangerous work.

Falling trees and branches are a major danger. Chainsaws can inflict severe wounds, but with protective clothing, those are now uncommon.

Fatigue, drugs and bravado also increase the risks of a dangerous job.

Many forest harvesters have to drive long distances for their day's work, and work long hours in a physically demanding job. Fatigue and inattention can make for accidents.

Most of the workers are men and can be subject to the bravado factor, such as not wanting to ask for help or question what's going on.

Working while under the influence of drugs increases all the risks. It has been a problem in the past, but is less so now.

"The majority of companies and contractors now do pre-employment and random testing. That has certainly improved things, but no one would claim there wasn't still an ongoing issue," Mr Preece said.

Competenz is working with about 3000 forestry trainees. They are among the 7000 people in the country whose job is harvesting trees. That number is expected to rise dramatically during the next 10 years as trees come ready for harvest.

Competenz offers them training to New Zealand Qualifications Authority levels 2 to 6, and has just revised its qualifications. There is theory, with material about health and safety, environment care and quality delivered in writing and online, and practical training on the ground.

At Level 2 new workers started on the platform, cutting logs to length for transport. They learned safe chainsaw skills and were under supervision.

"They're under direct supervision, one to one with a trainer for a while, until he's satisfied they can be let loose," Mr Preece said.

At Level 3 they moved out into the forest to fell a range of different trees. At Level 4 they would be using machines, many of them computerised and high-tech, and also felling in difficult country and breaking out.

At Level 5 the training is for managing a crew, and at Level 6 it's a diploma in management.

Trainees do have opportunities for career advancement, Mr Preece said. They could aspire to use high-tech machines, supervise a crew or own one.

As well as training, there are three other layers of rules and expectations for forestry harvesting. One is the Health and Safety in Employment Act, which is being revised to clarify responsibilities. Then there's an industry-approved code of practice that sits under that. Then there are best practice guidelines for the whole sector, and some individual companies have their own guidelines as well.

Compliance with all these levels of regulation was variable.

"A good contractor will have comprehensive health and safety management process, check it is used regularly, and discuss hazards," Mr Preece said.

Source: Story by Laurel Stowell, Wanganui Chronicle. To read the full story >>