The Forest Industry Contractors Association is welcoming the recommendations of a major review into safety and workplace practices in the industry.
The Independent Forestry Safety Review panel released its final report today, outlining a myriad of recommendations to be implemented over three years.
Those include the introduction of a Forestry Leaders Action Group comprising government, industry and workers, to oversee the changes. The group is to be set up within three months.
The president of the Forest Industry Contractors Association and managing director of Kajavala Forestry said the voice of those on the forest floor had been missing until now.
Forest Industry Contractors Association president and managing director of Kajavala Forestry, Jacob Kajavala. Photo: SUPPLIED
Jacob Kajavala of Ngati Ruapuni (Tuhoe) and Ngati Kahungunu admitted the industry had not done as good a job as it should have of engaging with the people who were having the accidents.
He said the people in the boardrooms were well meaning to a certain degree, and able to theorise about what people on the forest floor were facing.
But he said introducing balanced representation that includes the workers will increase their safety.