The fourth forestry death this year is a tragedy for the families, and the sector says WorkSafe chief executive Gordon MacDonald.
“It concerns everyone in the industry including the regulator that there has been this rash of deaths in such a short period. WorkSafe is investigating the fatalities and will provide its conclusions to all parties as soon as they are complete,” says MacDonald.
WorkSafe is starting an investigation after notification that a contract worker was fatally injured while felling a tree in the Pohukura Forest north of Napier yesterday.
“The sector had a terrible year in 2013 when 10 died, and in the two years following, performance improved the following work by a combination of the industry itself, former CTU president Helen Kelly and WorkSafe’s forestry workplace assessment programme.
“We have not let up our pressure on the sector to drive improvements in its health and safety record,” he says.
“In 2015, we made nearly 2200 visits to forestry worksite to review their practices, provide advice where needed, and enforce the law if necessary. So far this year, we’ve already made 280 visits to sites on the same basis, and we will continue this process,” says MacDonald.
“Despite this news, I believe this industry is moving in the right direction. It has taken control of its destiny through the establishment of the Forest Industry Safety Council,” he says.
“I see a strongly collaborative commitment to making better health and safety a primary focus in boardrooms, in forest management companies, and amongst contractors, on the forest floor,” says MacDonald.
“The sad news today clearly shows there is still work to do, and WorkSafe will continue to be a vital driver of improved performance,” he says.
