1.1 Who is this for?
1.1.1
This approved code of practice is for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) involved in forestry and harvesting operations.
1.1.2
This includes:
- owner or owners of the land where the forest is planted
- forest owners and managers
- tree buyers/owners
- roading and earthworks contractors
- log buyers
- forest contractors and sub-contractors
- logging transport contractors.
1.1.3
Workers of contractors/subcontractors, and others associated with the industry, might also find this approved code of practice useful.
1.2 How can this be used?
1.2.1
This approved code of practice sets out WorkSafe's expectations for managing health and safety risks in forestry and harvesting operations in a healthy and safe way. It:
- explains what PCBUs must do under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) and relevant regulations
- gives examples of good practice.
1.2.2
PCBUs may adopt other practices to achieve compliance, as long as they provide a level of work health and safety equivalent to or higher than the standard in this code.
1.2.3
This approved code of practice can be used:
- to inform health and safety systems, processes and procedures, and training for workers
- as a template around which compliance or your health and safety audits can be based
- as a standard against which alternative approaches to health and safety can be measured.
1.3 What work is covered?
1.3.1
This approved code of practice broadly follows the forest operations process from establishing the forest through to harvest and the transport of logs to the forest boundary.
1.3.2
The guidance is split into the following Parts:
- Part A: Managing health and safety through the contracting chain
- Part B: General requirements:
- safe worker
- workplace requirements and facilities
- first aid
- emergency plans
- personal protective equipment (PPE)
- training, information, instruction and supervision
- communications
- alcohol and drugs
- Part C: Site access and preparation
- Part D: Establishment and silviculture
- Part E: Mobile plant and harvesting:
- mobile plant
- mechanised harvesting including winch-assisted harvesting
- manual felling including machine-assisted felling
- cable logging including manual breaking out
- Part F: Work on landings and loading and unloading including wood residual and biomass processing.
1.4 What if something is not covered in the guidance?
1.4.1
There may be instances where a forestry task will arise that is not covered or varies from what is in the guidance. If this happens, follow usual processes to identify, assess and manage risk (Appendix 6).
1.5 What things mean: certain terms and symbols used in this approved code of practice
1.5.1
Table 1 shows what certain terms and symbols mean in this approved code of practice.
| Term or symbol | Meaning in this document |
|---|---|
| 'you'/'your' | Refers to the PCBU involved in forestry and harvesting operations. |
| 'must' | The related action/task/duty is a legal requirement under HSWA or regulations. You have to comply with the requirement. All mandatory requirements have the exclamation symbol on the lefthand side of the page. |
| 'make sure', 'do not', 'check' or similar wording | This wording indicates how WorkSafe expects certain health and safety risks to be managed. It is not mandatory to follow these expectations. You may adopt other practices, as long as these practices provide a level of health and safety as good as or better than the standard in this code. |
| 'worker' 'operator' |
The word 'worker' is used alongside the word 'operator' in this guidance. They are interchangeable. An operator is a worker who operates some form of plant or machinery. Operators have the same rights and responsibilities as other workers. |
Table 1: The meaning of certain terms and symbols in this document
An example of the difference between 'must' and other wording
"Workers must have an effective communication system when working remotely."
This is a legal requirement. You must ensure all workers have an effective way to communicate.
"Make sure all workers have an RT system when working remotely."
It is not mandatory for all workers to have an RT. If you have technology or a system which is as good as or better than an RT, then you could use that.
1.5.2
See Appendix 1: Glossary for further terms.
Industry best practice
1.5.3
There are times when industry has identified a preferred way to manage a risk. For example, separation distances (such as two tree-lengths).
1.5.4
Any industry practices included in this guidance will be indicated as such (for example, 'It is industry best practice to…').
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