Find out more about certification or view the certification Register
Watch Hiki Ellis from Ellis Silviculture Contractor, Jessie Bourke from Logic Forest Solutions, and Robert Stubbs from Stubbs Contracting talking about why they got certified, and why they recommends other contractors do the same.
For contractors, certification demonstrates your professionalism to clients. It provides a benchmark that your health and safety systems can be designed to and means everyone is held to the same standards. For forest owners and managers, using certified contractors provides an assurance that the companies you hire are competent to do the job. For workers, the scheme will lead to improved health and safety and employment conditions. The scheme was designed in consultation with the regulator, WorkSafe, and with extensive input from the industry.
To become certified, contractors need to complete an online assessment and a field audit. The criteria in the assessment and field audit are based on industry good practice. The field audit is done by an accredited Safetree auditor of the contractor’s choice. The field audit focuses on observations of the work environment and questioning of workers in the field. The auditor will identify any improvements that should be made at the time of the audit. Certified contractors are added to a searchable register on the Safetree website.
The online assessment covers:
The field audit covers:
Lower Fees
Previously $695+GST, this year the cost of Safetree Certification has been lowered to $400+GST for Contractors. Why is it cheaper this year? Safetree Certification is not-for-profit, and funding secured from the Forest Growers Levy Trust and ACC in 2022 subsidies the annual cost to Contractors.
The cost of the field audit is variable depending on the auditor you are allocated and their travel expenses. But an indicative cost for a full day is between $1,400 and $2,000. The audit is required every two years.
The following resources may help with preparation for certification.
Field audits must be conducted by a Safetree Approved Field Auditor. Field auditors have been approved as having met the following criteria:
Field Auditors are required to act professionally, confidentially, and without bias. They are not for example allowed to “sell” products or services and must declare conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest would include, for example, a forest owner’s auditor certifying their own contractor. If you are interested in applying to be an approved field auditor please read the criteria in the application form before submitting necessary evidence to info@safetree.nz
Safetree Certification is governed by the FISC Council, according to Certification Rules developed by the FISC Council and Kensington Swan.
Any issues or complaints should be raised with John Lowe, FISC Project Manager, in the first instance. John can be contacted on M: 021 164 8036 or E: certification@safetree.nz
Where relevant, issues can be escalated to Joe Akari, FISC CEO, via certification@safetree.nz