Time for action after too many forestry deaths

A Labour government under David Cunliffe will conduct an urgent inquiry into safety standards in the forestry industry.

“This inquiry will also take a closer look at working hours and conditions. The current situation is unacceptable and the forestry industry needs to dramatically lift its game,” said David Cunliffe today.

Just last month a forestry worker in Rotorua ended up in hospital with serious injuries after a tree fell on him. And before that a 45-year-old man from Tokoroa was killed in the Kinleith area. His death was the sixth in the industry this year.

“The light handed approach to regulation that this National government has adopted has put workers at risk. And they are showing no signs of changing their minds, inspite of overwhelming evidence that things are badly going wrong.

The Minister, Simon Bridges, needs to understand there needs to be more than an assessment of the forestry industry procedures.

“The industry is fragmented with long hours and a lack of training and enforcement. It’s just not working and our forestry workers are bearing the brunt of the failure.”

“We cannot let more families experience the similar tragedy in the future – we need action now.”

ENDS

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