Coping with severe weather events

Joe's blog

Over the past few weeks, our thoughts have been firmly with our friends in the Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough regions, who’ve faced back-to-back severe weather events.

Just as the clean-up got underway, another storm hit - forcing communities to start all over again. It’s demoralising and heartbreaking.

But once again, we’re seeing what makes this sector special. Amidst the damage and disruption, stories are emerging of forestry crews stepping up - using their skills and equipment to support the communities and businesses around them where they can.

A reminder to everyone out there working hard to get things back on track: take care of yourselves and each other. Rest when you can, eat well, check in on your crew, and don’t push through without support. These challenges are a marathon, not a sprint - and staying mentally and physically well is key to being able to keep going, and - importantly - for keeping you and your workmates safe.

If things are feeling tough, Safetree has a list of wellbeing and mental health organisations you can reach out to. Help is there - don’t hesitate to use it.

On a different note, you may recall that last year Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Brooke van Velden, held a Roadshow to get feedback on NZ’s work health and safety regulatory system. The forestry sector hosted the Minister last August to share our thoughts. Now a report summarising the feedback from her roadshow is available to the public. Check it out.

Read the Roadshow Summary of Feedback report.

Mental health and wellbeing resources

Keen to better support your team after injury? Here’s your chance

When an employee gets injured, it can have a significant impact on them, their workmates and their workplace.

Over 18 million workdays were lost in New Zealand due to injury last year, ACC data shows. And the longer an injured person is away from work, the less likely they are to return to their job. This can have a significant negative impact on both the worker and your business.

We’re working with ACC on a new trial to help forestry businesses improve the process of employees returning to work after injury and registrations to join in are currently open.

You’ll learn about what can make a big difference for your workplace and employees after injury, while enhancing productivity and improving employee wellbeing.

Join us for a webinar on Wednesday, 30 July at 11.30 am to learn how your business and employees could benefit. Register on the link below and receive more information.

Register here

Spotlight on Safety: Forestry ACoP set to launch

All the hard mahi behind the new Forestry Approved Code of Practice and Best Practice Guide for Health and Safety in Small Forests is about to be celebrated with the launch of these documents this August.

Join us as we celebrate these achievements at this Spotlight on Safety event taking place in Palmerston North on 26 August.

The Minister of Workplace Health & Safety, Brooke van Velden, and other industry leaders will be attending too.

Find out more and register

Mark Preece appointed to lead certification permanently

 After farewelling FISC Certification Manager John Lowe to London earlier this year, Mark Preece has officially taken on the role permanently, after initially stepping in on contract.

Mark has over 30 years experience in the forestry industry, most recently as Engagement Lead for Forestry at WorkSafe.

Rotorua-based, Mark will work Monday to Thursdays with Safetree, focusing on ongoing improvements to the Contractor and Worker Certification schemes, the introduction of the second tier ‘Canopy Class’ Contractor Certification and Forest Manager Certification programmes, and designing a consistency review process for Safetree auditors and assessors.

John Lowe will continue to work for FISC on a contract basis from London, managing FISC data.

Safetree colleagues head to Canada

Safetree auditor Willie Sinclair and FISC Council member Kevin Ihaka have joined a 43-strong task force sent to help battle Canada’s devastating wildfires.

The team, deployed by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), will support firefighting efforts in Manitoba for about five weeks. Wildfires have been raging across multiple Canadian provinces.

The firefighters being sent are considered ‘arduous firefighters’, with the work they will do described as tough and physical.

Ngā mihi to Willie and Kevin – stay safe!