Dear FICA Members, Sponsors & Industry
Just when we thought normality was going to be the theme of 2021, COVID lockdowns in Auckland have reminded the nation that its not that easy.
The issue for our industry is the struggle to be recognised as a sector that can manage with our industry protocols in Level 3. There is a consensus from all key forestry organisations to work on this with government and a meeting this week with MPI will hopefully give us some answers for the continuity for our industry going forward.
The work that has been going on through FISC with review of the Safetree Contractor Certification programme has been extremely productive and has included a broad representation of the industry. At the January workshop it was highlighted that there was a willingness to get this right and a desire to get a win:win for everyone.
Interesting stats came out of that meeting as we understood that for the past 3 years the same top 5 corrective actions on Certification have been:
• Hazardous substances not being stored, used or managed appropriately.
• Contractors not having a system to manage competency status of workers.
• Welfare facilities, including toilets, water, handwashing, shelter.
• No system to record machinery maintenance and certification.
• Crew members not having general requirements.
You may have seen that FICA are now recognising those in the industry that achieved their certification as well as those have been re-certified, we need to applaud them all as they lift the standard of our industry up to another level. The workshop initiated to establishment of a TAG group which meets this week and a workscope will be set up to ensure that by the end of the year this review has been completed with some great outcomes to drive further development of the scheme.
We have taken a positive stand on events this year and booked our AGM Conference in Queenstown 29 & 30 October at the Millennium Hotel and Copthorne close by if anyone is wanting to book accommodation now. As we have done in the past, the Safetree Conference will be held the day prior with the trade show and a dinner the night of the 28 October.
Markets are strong as we know so production and harvest are bouyant but if you are deciding to invest in further equipment, make sure all finance packages are well undertood expecially if you opt for early settlement or closure. The last thing we would want to see is the markets come back and our contractors left with high penalties. This is the drive behind another project that FICA will lead this next 6 months is the development of a Model Contract between contractors and principals. Supply chain factors have consistently been recognised as a critical but hard to influence factor in forestry workplace wellbeing, health & safety and sustainability. FICA see there are areas that can be improved, agreed with all stakeholders and provide a meaningful platform leading to better and more long term business performance, work conditions and health and safety outcomes. We will provide you with more detail in the coming months.
I would like to put out a thank you to all forest owners and management companies that have invited FICA into their safe start and H & S meetings, its been great being across the good work being promoted and also to meet & catch up with many of you around the country. FICA is definitely committed to keeping you up to speed with industry matters but we are also keen to hear from you at anytime.
Kia Kaha - Stay Strong
Prue & FICA Board
Prue Younger
CEO, FICA
|