Toroawhi / Worker Champion initiative to end

In this newsletter:

• Joe's blog: Toroawhi initiative comes to an end
• Featured Certified Contractor: Kuru Contracting
• Safety Alert: Chainsaw kick-back
• Silviculture Micro-Innovation Challenge
• Golden Loader Competition

 Joe’s blog

The Forest Industry Safety Council (FISC) is announcing today that our Toroawhi / Worker Champion initiative is coming to an end. The Toroawhi initiative started in February 2020 as a pilot sponsored by WorkSafe. But the funding and initiative will finish at the end of March 2024. We make this announcement with sadness, but also with pride for the work our Toroawhi, Richard Stringfellow and Wade Brunt, have done over the last four years.

They have visited many forestry businesses across the Motu, talking with hundreds of forestry people. They have worked hard to improve worker engagement and wellbeing, and to support crews and workers to achieve Safetree Certification. They have helped manage emerging risks – for example, following the cyclones last year they helped crews deal with the additional risks of harvesting windthrown trees. FISC would like to acknowledge the great work done by Richard and Wade. They have had a lasting influence on FISC’s work, and on many of the crews and individuals they interacted with. We wish them both well for the future.

Joe Akari, CEO Safetree

Featured Certified Contractor: Kuru Contracting

Watch these videos about how Tolaga Bay-based Kuru Contracting is looking after its workers and its local community, particularly after Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023. The videos cover:

• Building a road to reconnect the community after Cyclone Gabrielle
• Looking after workers and the community in a crisis
• How looking after the community helps build a stronger business

Watch these videos on the Safetree website

Safety Alert: Chainsaw kick-back

See this Safety Alert about a silviculture worker who received a gash to the head when a chainsaw kicked-back and the safety brake didn't active as expected.

Read, print and share the Alert

Watch a summary of the Alert on Facebook

Silviculture Micro-Innovation Challenge

Got a good idea for improving silviculture? Then check out the Silviculture Micro-Innovation Challenge. The challenge is a chance to win one of three $15,000 awards to help you build a working prototype of your concept. The Challenge finishes on Friday 8 March 2024 at 5pm. Supported by Forest Growers Research.

See more

Golden Loader Competition

Think you’ve got what it takes to enter the Golden Loader Competition? This fun competition is open to people who work in forestry in machine operating positions. A maximum of 12 people will compete in knock-out rounds to find out who is the best and safest loader driver in the region! It’s part of the Rural Games that take place on 10 March 2024 at the Square, Palmerston North. See more or enter through the Southern North Island Wood Council website.

See more