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Fiona Ewing: Rise in forestry worker injuries 'not what we want'

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 4 Apr 2017, 6:39AM
Photo / NZME

Fiona Ewing: Rise in forestry worker injuries 'not what we want'

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 4 Apr 2017, 6:39AM

Injury rates in the forestry industry are still too high - a year after new health and safety legislation came into force.

After declining in 2015, injuries began creeping up again last year.

More than 173 forestry workers were severely injured in 2016, and the rate of serious injuries per 10,000 workers rose nearly 11 percent over the year before.

Forestry Industry Safety Council national safety director Fiona Ewing told Rachel Smalley it could take time for the legislation to make an impact.

"It's not good as I say. It's not what we want. Our aim is to get towards zero. The new legislation is pushing us in the right direction which is good.

"The trend is not what we want it to be but overall the trend has improved since 2013."

Ms Ewing said there remains a compliance mentality within parts of the industry.

This is where health and safety is focused around ensuring companies have the paperwork needed to protect them from prosecution if someone gets hurt.

She said that has to change to a focus of caring for people and doing the job professionally.

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