Latest injury dashboard, Course dates, Safety Alert
Recently I was asked why Safetree’s Hauora Safety Leadership programme draws on Māori concepts of wellbeing, and what these have to do with health and safety in forestry. My answer is that the wellbeing concepts included in the programme (the importance of physical, mental, spiritual, and family health) are relevant to everyone, not just Māori.
Joe’s blog
Recently I was asked why Safetree’s Hauora Safety Leadership programme draws on Māori concepts of wellbeing, and what these have to do with health and safety in forestry. My answer is that the wellbeing concepts included in the programme (the importance of physical, mental, spiritual, and family health) are relevant to everyone, not just Māori. And while forestry generally has pretty good rules and processes for keeping people safe, our focus on looking after the physical and mental health of workers is not as strong.
In addition, WorkSafe data shows that Māori forestry workers are much more likely to suffer serious injuries or to be killed at work than other workers. This suggests that our current leadership models aren’t serving all of us as well as they should, and there is an opportunity to try a new approach. The two-day Hauora Safety Leadership programme has been designed for forestry businesses. It is for new and emerging leaders who are up for the challenge of exploring different ways of leading and working.
Feedback from the pilot courses we ran earlier this year was extremely positive and I’m confident that everyone who attends this programme will come back to their crew with practical ideas they can put into place straight away. Dates and locations for the courses are listed below, along with an email address to register. Or if you’d like to know more, contact me on 02108889240.
Joe Akari, CEO Safetree
Register for the Hauora Safety Leadership programme
Here is a list of dates and times for the courses. Places are limited and it’s first in, first served. To register, contact jackie.delaney@fisc.org.nz
- Whangārei: TBC
- Kaitaia: Sept 7 & 8
- Rotorua: Sept 21 & 22
- Turangi: Sept 18 & 19
- Gisborne: Nov 9 & 10
- Napier / Hawkes Bay: Nov 6 & 7
- Hawera: Sept 25 & 26
- Masterton: Sept 28 & 29
- Ashburton: Oct 9 & 10
- Invercargill: Oct 12 & 13
Other courses may be added depending on demand.
Safetree joins Te Kawa a Tāne Alliance
Safetree is pleased to be part of the Forestry Community Health and Safety Alliance in Te Tairāwhiti, known as Te Kawa a Tāne. An Accord has been created by the Alliance, which sets out commitments for those who sign it that will improve the culture and wellbeing of workers within the forestry industry. Safetree has been part of the wananga that led to the Alliance, and we are also signatories to the Accord. The Alliance is underpinned by te ao Māori principles and values. It is co-chaired by Philip Hope of the Eastland Wood Council and Ronald Nepe of TROTAK (Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui-a-Kiwa).
See more about the Alliance and Accord
WorkSafe survey
WorkSafe is conducting a survey to find out more about the experiences of people who work in forestry either as employers or workers. Insights from the survey will help WorkSafe improve health and safety in the sector. Everything you say is confidential. Only the Kantar Public research team conducting the survey will know who has completed it. Please complete the survey by Tuesday, 12th of September. The survey will take around 15-minutes to complete. As a ‘thank you’ for taking part, Kantar Public will put everyone who completes the survey into a draw for $500 Prezzy Card.
Health and safety dashboard
Safetree’s latest How Are We Tracking health and safety dashboard is on our website.
The dashboard shows that while the rate of injuries reduced slightly in the first quarter of 2023, it is higher than in the same quarter last year.
Loading and unloading logs; slips, trips and falls; harvesting; and maintenance are the areas where the most lost-time injuries occurred.
Safety Alerts
Sharing Safety Alerts is an important way for forestry businesses and workers to learn from each other’s experiences. If your organisation produces Safety Alerts please send them to us so we can share them.
Correct PPE for drivers: This Safety Alert, from NZ Forest Managers, highlights the importance of drivers and workers wearing correct footwear in vehicles.
Useful factsheets for silviculture businesses and workers
Winter is a busy period for silviculture businesses and workers. Tailgate meetings are a good way to remind people of important safety practices and set them up for a good day. One message that’s worth repeating is the importance of looking after our lungs. Most forestry work takes place in the open air. But there are times when workers can be exposed to chemicals or fumes, and it’s important that they’re reminded of how to stay safe and healthy. Download and share this tailgate card with crews. It includes key things to remember when working with chemicals. Of course, it’s also relevant for harvesting crews.