New Zealand forestry has gone from a bad performer to being one of the best, and one man says it is because of the new innovations in steep slope harvesting.
In recent years, New Zealand forestry has faced massive hurdles in safety, especially on steep slopes. Too many accidents occurredbecause workers were facing too many risks in the workplace.
But, leaders in the forest industry have stepped up to the challenge, hugely reducing the number of serious accidents.
Steep Slope Logging Conference co-organiser John Stulen said it was no coincidence forest workplaces had become safer.
He said a completely new generation of hi-tech steep slope harvesters had made the forest workplace safer for everyone working at the felling face.
These new technologies, developed by Kiwi innovators, have made forest workers safer by taking the risk out of harvesting on the steep slopes of the New Zealand countryside.
More than five engineering companies in New Zealand have led the way by working with their logging customers to develop these machines and new technologies. They worked quickly, getting them onto the forest floor and enabling contractors to remove crews from the highest risk areas of tree felling.
Since the first machine, the ClimbMax, was proved on the slopes, more engineering innovators have developed their own machines, creating a competition that has driven even further innovation.
The Steep Slope Logging Conference starts on March 2 and will showcase the best of the best.
New Zealand and Canadian engineers and innovators are coming together to show North America just how steep slope harvesting technology has progressed.
A group of practical logging speakers are heading to Vancouver to share on how they have used steep slope harvesters to reduce the risks of working on some of the country's toughest terrains.
For more information on the conference, and for the full programme, visit the event website www.steepslopelogging.events.
