11.0 Training, information, instruction and supervision

11.1 Duty to provide training, information, instruction and supervision

11.1.1

This section provides guidance on how to make sure your workers have the right training, information, instruction or supervision.

11.1.2

All forestry workers must be provided appropriate training, information, instruction and supervision so they work in a healthy and safe way.

11.1.3

You must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, workers who carry out work of any kind, use plant of any kind, or deal with a substance of any kind that is capable of causing a risk in a workplace:

either have adequate knowledge and experience of similar work so they are not likely to cause harm to themselves or other people, or are supervised by someone who has the relevant knowledge and experience and
are adequately trained in the safe use of all plant, objects, substances, or equipment the workers are or may be required to handle, as well as all PPE that the workers are or may be required to wear or use.

11.1.4

You must ensure that the supervision and training provided is suitable and adequate, having regard to:

the nature of the work carried out
the nature of the risks associated with the work at the time the supervision or training is provided
the control measures implemented in relation to the work.

11.1.5

You must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the training is readily understandable to the workers it is provided to.

11.1.6

Make sure competent persons provide training.

11.1.7

Make sure training is tailored and fit-for-purpose.

11.1.8

You must engage with workers when making decisions about procedures for providing information and training to workers.

11.2 Check workers have required training

11.2.1

Worker training requirements will depend on:

the level of risk their job involves
industry or task-specific qualifications or training requirements (for example, Safetree certification, NZQA qualifications)
the knowledge, experience, and previous training of the worker.

11.2.2

All PCBUs have a responsibility to make sure workers have the appropriate training for the work they will be doing. This includes workers that may be several steps down the contracting chain. (See Section 3.3 about overlapping duties.)

11.2.3

Where reasonably practicable, make arrangements to specify and check these training requirements at the planning stages of a project.

11.3 Check worker competency before work begins

11.3.1

A competent person is someone who can consistently demonstrate the skill and knowledge derived from experience and/or training for the type of work the person is tasked to do.

11.3.2

Before starting work, assess each worker's competence and experience, and what further training they may require. This is usually done by the site manager or someone you deem competent to make that assessment.

11.3.3

Undergoing training is not always an indication of workers' actual level of competence when on the job. In some instances, workers may need further onsite training or retraining before starting work, particularly if there have been gaps in employment.

11.4 Supervise new or inexperienced workers

11.4.1

Supervision is likely to be needed for new or inexperienced workers until they have shown they are competent to carry out the tasks unsupervised. Consider having experienced workers act as a mentor for new workers.

11.4.2

Experienced workers may also need to be supervised for new tasks or if they have not done a particular task in a long time.

11.4.3

There are different levels of supervision - ranging from direct and constant one-on-one supervision to less intensive supervision.

11.4.4

Choose the most appropriate level of supervision based on the worker's competence and experience. High-risk tasks such as manual tree felling and manual breaking out may require additional supervision.

11.5 Ongoing training

11.5.1

Give workers ongoing training, which may include:

refresher training when needed
training when new vehicles or plant, or new features are introduced
training when the work changes and the task needs to be done differently
when workers are due for recertification
when competence or qualification requirements change
continuing professional development.

11.5.2

Monitor training needs.

11.6 Keep a record of all training

11.6.1

Keep a record of all training that has been completed for each worker including when refresher training is due. This will help make sure the most appropriate person is allocated a particular task and identify workers who need refresher training.

11.6.2

Make this information available to others in the contracting chain that have a duty towards those workers (provided the worker has consented to this information being shared).

11.6.3

All storing and sharing of worker training information is subject to the Privacy Act(external link)

11.7 More information

11.7.1

For more information, see Resources webpage