Forestry fatigue targeted

Tuesday 08 August 2000

Workers in the forestry are 24 times more likely to die at work than the average New Zealander, and one of the contributing factors is fatigue.

This is the reason for the focus on fatigue during WorkSafe Week 2000 which is running from 1 to 7 October. Throughout the Week OSH and the Logging Industry Research Organisation (LIRO) will carry out fatigue related tests nationwide.

The test will measure static muscle tension in cab operators and dehydration in bushmen.

Last year OSH investigated four fatalities in the forestry industry, the lowest since OSH was formed in 1993. OSH’s General Manager, Bob Hill, says the fact is that forestry is one of the most physically demanding industries.

"Historical the fatality figures paint a tragic picture of forestry. A lot of work has been done to improve health and safety standards and I certainly hope it continues because there is no acceptable level of death."

"One of the things WorkSafe Week aims to highlight is the social and economic costs of failures in workplace health and safety. Sadly, the forestry industry is all too aware of these costs.

"Just as importantly, WorkSafe Week is about encouraging employers and employees to get involved in the Week to improving health and safety standards."

The theme for WorkSafe Week 2000 is "A Safe Workplace is no Accident."

"I hope people will think about the two messages contained in the theme. The first is to encourage employers and employees to be a part of the drive to lower accidents, injury and illness in the workplace. The second is that a safe workplace is the product of a planned and systematic approach to health and safety."

To help deliver the message and support businesses to improve their health and safety standards OSH this week launched a WorkSafe Week website, www.worksafeweek.org.nz.

The site not only has information on health and safety and WorkSafe Week, it also focuses on how businesses can get involved in the Week. This includes events run by OSH, and importantly, ideas and support so businesses can run their own activities.

"Past WorkSafe Weeks have highlighted there are a lot businesses that see the benefit of using WorkSafe Week to make health and safety part of the way they work.

This year we really want to see as many people as possible getting the benefits of taking part in the Week", Mr Hill said.