Taking safety to a higher level
From the Spring/Summer 2009 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
(L to R): Forests NSW Christine Di Bella, Bill Keenan (inspector WorkCover),Cris Jelley (inspector WorkCover), Mark Stothard (inspector WorkCover) and Susan Mulready (project officer WorkCover) working with local contractors to improve safety.Photo courtesy of WorkCover NSW
With a drive to see positive change, Forests NSW chief executive Nick Roberts lists taking staff and contractors to the next level of safety as one of his top priorities.
Truck safety has been an early focus of attention.
Forests NSW manager contractor safety, Andrew Nicholls, said some 150 000 loads of forest product are carted annually by contractors for Forests NSW.
Log trucks are the most constantly visible part of our industry to the general public and we have an opportunity to improve the image of the industry through better driving behaviour.
In particular, given the size of the task, it is paramount we improve safety at every turn, he said.
Andrew said investigation of incidents with actions being reported back through Forests NSW regional managers was proving to be a valuable way of improving safety.
The process of root-cause analysis and circulating the findings is a powerful way of preventing similar incidents from occurring. This makes for a robust safety system, he said.
Andrew said this year Forests NSW had conducted a series of 11 contractor safety workshops across the state to bring harvest and haul contractors and their bush bosses together to discuss safety behaviour and encourage leadership in safety matters, management and engagement.
These workshops focussed on ensuring that contractors had the commitment and courage to correct poor practices.
Consultation is a very effective way to highlight risk and stop people getting hurt. When we get busy, we can sometimes forget to talk, he said.
Sarah Chester Public Affairs & Media, Albury
