Forests NSW focuses on improving safety in the workforce

A Forests NSW safety day held last Wednesday (July 30) for staff in the Hume Region around Tumut, Batlow and Tumbarumba focused on how safety in the workplace could be improved.

Forests NSW truck safety project officer, Andrew Nicholls, said the day covered a variety of activities including a stretching routine conducted by local physiotherapist, Andrea Aragon. This session focused on the advantages of keeping your body fit and ready for a variety of movements. 

He said the highlight of the day was the session where staff broke into groups and identified specific areas where management of safety in the workplace could be improved.

“This generated many new and innovative ideas, which will be reviewed to see how they can be implemented in the workplace.

“A valuable addition to this session was input from Forests NSW acting director of Planted Forests, Bob Orman, a former Batlow resident and forester in the region,” Mr Nicholls said.

Mr Orman, with the local regional manager, Bob Germantse, also made presentations to staff who had achieved milestone periods without incurring a lost time accident.

Mr Orman said Forests NSW was constantly working to improve safety by implementing new safety initiatives and consulting staff.

“Forests NSW management and staff recognise that the longer-term aim from days such as these is to improve performance in workplace safety; however, the real improvement would only occur if staff themselves have the commitment to make a difference,” he said.