New Zealand’s forestry industry urged to make safety a priority reported by Haydee.  Available from <http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/08/new-zealands-forestry-industry-urged-make-safety-priority/#.V9pcoJh9602>. [ 02:17am, Thursday 25 August, 2016]

New Zealand’s work safety watchdog is reminding the forestry industry to remain vigilant about health and safety following a forestry fatality in Hawkes Bay.

The victim, a rugby player, is the second worker to die in Hawke’s Bay’s Pohakura Forest within the past five months and follows three earlier confirmed forestry deaths so far this year.

“It is obviously concerning to see two deaths in the one forest within a matter of months. Any deaths are a tragedy for family, friends and co-workers and the wider community,” said WorkSafe’s Chief executive Gordon Macdonald.

The incident is currently being investigated by WorkSafe New Zealand.

“Obviously, we cannot pre-judge the outcome of our investigations, but I can assure the families that WorkSafe will do all that it can to determine what went wrong,” said Mr. Macdonald.

“WorkSafe inspectors have been to the scene of this week’s incident and will meet with the deceased man’s family in due course.”

WorkSafe will continue to focus on forestry safety. According to Mr. Macdonald, inspectors have conducted a total of 775 forestry assessment visits and issued 578 enforcement notices.

“WorkSafe has worked closely with the forestry industry and workers’ groups over the last few years to lift standards in the industry and real progress has been made – but this reinforces the point that there is no room for complacency,” he said.

New Zealand’s forestry industry urged to make safety a priority reported by Haydee.  Available from <http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/08/new-zealands-forestry-industry-urged-make-safety-priority/#.V9pcoJh9602>. [ 02:17am, Thursday 25 August, 2016]