CTU Media Release

8 May 2013

Select Committee needs to listen to calls for an inquiry into forestry

CTU strongly supports the petition tabled in Parliament today on behalf of Caroline Callow, mother of Ken Callow who was killed at work in the forestry industry and 224 others, calling for an investigation into health and safety in forestry says CTU President Helen Kelly. The petition will now be considered by the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee.”

Helen Kelly says “since 2008 there have been 26 fatalities in the forestry industry and nearly 900 accidents causing serious harm. There have been four people killed at work in forestry this year alone, the new industry standards are not working. We need the government to start taking this issue seriously and launch an investigation into forestry now. To date the Minister has rejected an inquiry so we are hoping the Select Committee will take up this issue.”

“We had 6 families of forestry workers who had been killed at work attend our Workers Memorial Day service last month. Each family had messages of the need for change in the industry. We need the government to heed the call for an inquiry to make this industry safe.”

“Each death affects families and communities - workers and their families want the Government to take action on the forestry death toll.”

ENDS

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