ACoP review

Joe's Blog

The Forestry Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) is considered by many in the industry as the “Bush Bible”. It is the most significant piece of guidance for the industry and is often referred to by workers, supervisors, managers and trainers. The review of the ACoP has been underway for the last couple of years and the draft sections are now being released by WorkSafe for consultation. It is important that the industry is actively involved with this review and provides feedback, because we want to make sure the ACoP continues to be our primary piece of guidance.

FISC has given some feedback that we would like to see two important principles established with the new document:

1. That there is an ability to edit/update the ACoP as new work practices and innovations are introduced. We would like to see that the ACoP remains current.
2. We would like to see the ACoP refer to industry Best Practice Guides as they often provide more detailed guidance compared to the ACoP. The recent Cable Yarder Safe Access and Guarding BPG and the NZ Winch-Assisted Harvesting BPG are recent examples.

It is also important that the voice of the worker (kaimahi) is heard during this review process. Not everyone will receive the WorkSafe emails, so I am asking that if you manage kaimahi please take them through the draft sections and get their views. It is important that the person doing the work understands what is being proposed in this review.

Download the draft sections here 

You can provide written feedback or attend online workshops when they are advertised by WorkSafe. As WorkSafe completes further sections, it will send them out for industry feedback. Once the whole guidance document is complete, that will be sent out again for feedback. And once the guidance is ready for publication, WorkSafe will send it out for public consultation, where you will also have the chance to comment.

The challenge for 2025 - changing our future

Three people dead, 150 people injured so seriously they need a week off work, and 1100 people hurt badly enough to need a visit to the doctor. That’s the forecast for forestry’s work-related injury toll in 2025, based on the industry’s performance over the five years to 2023. Roughly one in every eight forestry workers will make an ACC claim for an injury that requires a trip to the doctor. Two of the three people forecast to die will be manual fallers.

Safety has improved enormously in forestry over the last decade - and congratulations to everyone who’s contributed to that improvement. But that forecasted injury toll for 2025 is a stark reminder that the job’s nowhere near done yet. We still have a long way to go to create an industry where people are protected from serious harm. We can’t change the past, but we can change the future. The industry’s challenge in 2025 is to prove the forecasts wrong – to ensure those three workers spend Christmas 2025 with their whānau and to dramatically reduce the number whose Christmas 2025 celebrations are marred by a serious injury.

On that sobering, but important, note, we’d like to thank everyone who supported and contributed to Safetree/FISC’s work in 2024. We are a not-for-profit organisation with a FTE staff of 2.5. So, much of what we achieve is done with the help of industry participants and experts. We greatly appreciate the time, energy and resources you have devoted to this important work in 2024 and we look forward to working with you again in 2025.

 

Certification update

Tree faller & breaker-out subsidy

The ACC funding we received to subsidise Safetree Certification for tree fallers and breaker-outs has been a huge success. Over 100 are certified, recertified or pending under the subsidy. The funding envelope has now closed but we are keen to keep up the momentum. If you have any feedback please email john.lowe@fisc.org.nz

Toilets on site

Recently, John was talking to a Nelson-based Safetree Auditor who said he had never been on a site in the South Island that didn’t have a toilet for the crew. This prompted John to wonder why other parts of the country struggle to provide facilities to their workers. It’s not without challenges, but providing facilities is important for respecting your workers and the land. It is an expectation of both Safetree Certification and WorkSafe that facilities are provided onsite. WorkSafe is now including crew facilities in its assessments of operations on forestry visits.

Contract tree-faller register

We are keen to add more names to the public register of Contract Tree Fallers. Safetree Certified fallers can be added to the register by request. Please email certification@safetree.nz if you know someone who could be added.

View the register of Contract Tree Fallers  

 

Getting ready for the warmer weather

When people get back to work after the holidays, summer will be in full swing. So, start-up meetings could be a good time to remind crews and team members of the need to look after themselves when working in hot weather. The key things to remember are:

Be SunSmart – remember to Slip, Slop, Slap, Wrap

• Slip on a light, breathable, long-sleeved shirt, and Slip into shade as much as possible when working and resting.
• Slop water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen (at least SPF 30) onto all uncovered skin. Put it on 20 minutes before you go out, and reapply at least every two hours.
• Slap on a helmet with a visor and neck flap.
• Wear Wrap-around sunnies – make sure they fit with your PPE needs.

Drink heaps of water

• Carry a bottle of water and aim to drink at least a litre every hour when working outside in hot weather.
• Don’t drink lots of coffee/caffeinated drinks or alcohol the night before because this will dehydrate you.
• Watch your pee – ideally it’s a light yellow/pale straw colour, not dark yellow. If it’s dark, you need to drink more water.

Look out for signs of heat stress

• Mild heat stress – watch out for heavy sweating, panting, fast and weak pulse, tiredness, fainting, nausea, headache, grumpiness, wonky vision. Stop work, rest, drink water, cool down immediately.
• Severe heat stress – watch out for really hot and dry skin, rapid and strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness, diarrhoea, tingling and numbness in hands/feet.
• Call 111 if you think someone has severe heat stress – it’s a medical emergency

Download and print the Working in Hot Weather tailgate card