Forestry Sector Action Plan 2010-13
Appendix 5 - Other projects and initiatives
Experience rating
Since 2011 ACC has applied an experience rating system of modifying a business's ACC work levy based on its claims history. Historically, the work levy has been based on injury rates across industry categories. A business has paid the same work levy as others operating in the same industry, despite differences in their safety record. Experience rating rewards those business owners with safer workplaces, and encourages a focus on improving workplace safety and making New Zealand businesses better places to work.
Drugs and alcohol - code of practice for eliminating drugs and alcohol from the workplace
In 2000NZFOA developed and promoted aDrug and Alcohol Toolkit which was reviewed in 2008 and replaced byacode of practice. The code is a quality management programme with three main elements: education, drug and alcohol testing of all workers in safety-sensitive positions and rehabilitation. Testing is undertaken by accredited agenciesor individuals. Random testing results in recent years suggest that Government and industryneeds to maintain a focusand allocate resources to manage what is both a social and workplace health and safety issue.
The Workplace Culture, Leadership and Forestry Project (WCLF)
The project was a year-long pilot run by the Department, ACC and PF Olsen, on behalf of the NZFOA resulting in the identification of twelve 'safety culture' elements applicable to New Zealand's forestry industry. These elements are: work pressure, continuous learning, resources, rewards, training and competency, worker involvement, investigating and reporting, relationships, risk taking, communication, management's leadership commitment for safety and safety systems and procedures. Business participation was high and the lessons about making health and safety part of every job, at every level, are now being fed through the sector.
'Growing our Safety Culture' Project
ACC with a number of forestry companies[38], are implementing a safety culture assessment programme in 2011. This builds on the WCLF project and involves field assessments, report generation, and the development of a plan of action to address improvement opportunities.
Farm forestry initiative
ACC and the NZ Farm Forestry Association are looking to improve safety within the farm forestry sector. The initiative includes development of a risk assessment tool, a set of behavioural standards, case studies and expert demonstrations at field days.
Health and safety in farm forestry is an emerging issue as a large number of small woodlots reach maturity in the next few years. Farmers may not be aware of their obligations under the Health and Safety in Employment Act and there may be temptation to award contracts to the cheapest bidder.
Safe start breakfasts
Breakfasts sponsored by ACC are being run around the country for forestry crews. 2500 people attended the breakfasts in January 2011.
'Top Spot' programme
Originally developed within Carter Holt Harvey Forests and Matariki Forests the programme is designed to offer front line forestry crews the chance to demonstrate their health and safety expertise and be acknowledged and rewarded for best practice.
In signalling to the crews the importance placed on best practice by the forest owner, and by providing feedback and mentoring to crews, the programme seeks to encourage best practice by all crew members. Top individual performers are recognised with awards throughout the year and the top harvesting and silviculture crews receive trophies and team awards at 'Safe Start' breakfasts. As a programme, Top Spot was recognised in 2010 as a finalist in the Leadership Category of the Safeguard National Health and Safety Awards.
