Media Releases
OSH/ACC training to boost sawmill safety
Tuesday 25 November 2003
Sawmill workers need to look after themselves and their workmates better, says OSH, and the sawmill industry is responding - around 44 sawmills and over 100 people in the Bay of Plenty region will take part in a health and safety Training Day taking place in Rotorua on 27 November.
The training day, being run by OSH and ACC, is primarily aimed at health and safety personnel, supervisors and team leaders within this industry group. Workshops on the day will include how to identify and control hazards, investigating accidents and near misses, machine guarding and manual handling.
Safety in sawmills has been a strong focus for OSH and ACC, with the formation of an industry safety group to help develop best practice guidelines for the industry.
"OSH wants to help sawmill management and workers to take a critical look at their surroundings and work practices to make sure that everything they do is safe", says Murray Thompson, OSH's Service Manager for the Taupo-Eastern Bay of Plenty region. "I have often heard people say that they can't identify hazards in front of their face - they get so used to working in a particular environment that they don't see the potential of things around them that could cause harm".
"We want the day to provide useful information on managing critical factors within the sawmilling industry, so that people in the sector can make well-informed decisions on health and safety matters", says Murray Thompson.
"At the end of the day it's all about - "so we all go home safe and well!"
