Forestry Sector Leaders Sign Pact to Improve Safety

Forestry sector leaders will today make a public commitment to work together to reduce injuries to workers when they sign the Forest Industry Safety Council Charter.

The Charter will be signed by members of the Forest Industry Safety Council (FISC), which includes representatives of forest owners and managers, contractors, farm foresters, WorkSafe, ACC, unions and workers. It is also being signed by Associate Primary Industries Minister Jo Goodhew, representing the government.

“This Charter sets out at a high level how the industry will work together to make forestry a safe and healthy sector in which to work,” says FISC Chair Dame Alison Paterson.

“By signing our names to this pact in front of so many industry colleagues, we’re making a very public demonstration of our determination to work towards our goal of zero serious harm and fatalities in forestry,” Dame Alison says.

The signing will take place at the ForestWood conference in Auckland, attended by industry participants from across the country.

“Charters by their nature are symbolic. But the symbolism of so many industry representatives committing to lead by example is powerful. Their actions in fulfilling the commitments they’re making in the Charter will support FISC’s efforts to reduce harm.”

In addition to asking signatories to lead by example, the Charter asks them to work collaboratively on harm reduction activities, says FISC National Safety Director Fiona Ewing.

“That’s no small ask in a highly diverse sector like forestry, so it has been really encouraging to see people agreeing without hesitation to work together on this issue,” Fiona says.

“This Charter is an important milestone in the sector’s health and safety journey.”

An expanded version of the Charter will be developed later this year that includes detailed actions and expectations. Companies and others working in the industry will be invited to sign it.

ENDS

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