Forests NSW Safety Day

Forests NSW Hume Region around Tumut, Batlow and Tumbarumba conducted its annual staff safety day at the Tumut Golf Club on Friday (25 May) with more than 110 staff attending.

The agenda included a guest speaker from WorkCover NSW Rosalie Mayo-Ramsay who spoke on matters relating to working with naturally occurring asbestos in the workplace.

Forests NSW Acting Director Planted Forests Operations Bob Orman addressed the staff and said he had a vision for an injury-free workplace.

He also said he recognised the huge effort that people had put in to fight fires in the 2006/07 summer.

Forests NSW Hume Region Manager Bob Germantse thanked staff for their commitment in what had been a very busy and dangerous fire season.

“Staff put in a huge effort on the weekend of 2  December 2006 when they extinguished 30 fires from lightning strikes that were in or immediately threatening the plantation. This was a lead up to the following weekend when the Billo fire started as a result of arson, and required a month of solid commitment from staff.” he said.

Forests NSW Timber Merchandising Manager Damien O’Reilly outlined the huge effort by the timber community to ensure the salvage operation was a success.

OH&S committee Chair John Hartnett discussed some of the safety initiatives that have been put into place since the last all-staff safety meeting.

The day was part of an annual program where all staff have an opportunity to hear latest developments and have an input into their safety at work.

Photos available from sarahc@sf.nsw.gov.au