Update on the Independent Forestry Safety Review

Consultation and next steps

The formal consultation process for the Independent Forestry Safety Review has now been completed. The Panel has received feedback on its consultation document. This included 111 written submissions from government agencies, forest industry stakeholders and individuals with an interest in the Review.

Please note, the time for making a formal submission has closed. Details about what was said in the submission will be contained in the Panel’s Final Report. Work on the report is currently underway.

Along with the consultation document, the Panel travelled to some forestry regions to hold public consultation meetings and private meetings with contractors and workers. Meeting were held in:
• Balclutha on Thursday 11 June
• Christchurch on Friday 13 June
• Rotorua on Wednesday 18 June
• Whangarei on Friday 20 June
• Gisborne on Monday 23 June
• Nelson on Wednesday 25 June

While in the forestry regions, the Panel spoke with over 540 individuals. These included forestry workers, contractors, forest managers and owners, trainers and assessors and a range of other stakeholders.

As part of the consultation phase, a forestry worker survey was undertaken. So far, over 340 surveys have been completed. They are still being returned to the Panel so the final numbers are not yet known.

The Panel would like to thank everyone that participated in the Review during the stakeholder consultation phase. The input and information provided has enabled the Panel to better understand the factors that are impacting on health and safety on the forest block.

Next steps for the Review
The Panel is now working on developing practical recommendations for change in the forestry sector its Final Report. The focus will be on recommendations that will help ensure the forest block becomes a safe place to work.

It is anticipated that the final report to be completed some time between the end of September and the middle of October. It will take the Panel this time to review the submissions properly, talk to those who will be required to lead change in the sector and write the Final Report. In the interim, it is expected that an update on the content of the submissions will be provided in early August.

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