Panel chairman George Adams leads a session at yesterday's meeting. Photo/Stephen Parker
Panel chairman George Adams leads a session at yesterday's meeting. Photo/Stephen Parker
People from across the sector have shared their first-hand experiences at a forestry safety meeting in Rotorua.
About 120 people gathered at the Holiday Inn in Rotorua yesterday for a meeting run by the Independent Forestry Safety Review Panel.
Over more than five hours, workers, contractors, forestry owners, training providersand others discussed a wide range of issues ranging from contractor certification, hazard management and manual felling processes to work culture, fatigue, drugs, work conditions and the amount of paperwork - among others.
It was generally agreed the current training regime was inadequate and more needed to be done to ensure consistent, relevant training.
There was also a feeling information was not reaching those it needed to, and WorkSafe NZ could do more to help workers learn from accidents and fatalities.
The meeting is one of several the panel is holding across New Zealand before releasing its recommendations.
Speaking at the meeting's opening, local MP Todd McClay said ensuring the safety of forestry workers was an integral component of one of Rotorua's biggest sectors.
"Forestry plays a key role in the Rotorua economy and is one of our significant employers. A significant number of local people are employed in the industry and with that comes greater risk for loss or injury."
