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• 6.1 Mentally and physically fit workers
• 6.2 Workers’ duties
• 6.3 Involve workers in managing risks
• 6.4 Make sure workers have the right training and supervision
• 6.5 Facilities and equipment for workers

6.1 Mentally and physically fit workers

6.1.1

Workers in forestry operations need to be physically fit, alert and mentally capable to do their job safely.

6.1.2

Encourage workers to:

• get good sleep
• keep physically fit
• take good rest breaks
• drink lots of fluids and eat healthy
• not carry out work under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• not work when fatigued or injured.

6.1.3

Before starting, make sure each worker is physically and mentally prepared for the task. This includes checking on level of fatigue and general wellbeing.

6.2 Workers' duties

6.2.1

Workers have their own duties:

• A worker must take reasonable care of their own health and safety, and take reasonable care that they do not harm others at work.
• A worker must cooperate with reasonable policies and procedures the PCBU has in place that the worker has been told about.
• A worker must comply, as far as they are reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction given by the PCBU so the PCBU can meet their legal duties.

6.2.2

Other specific duties (for example, for PPE) will be discussed where relevant.

6.3 Involve workers in managing risks

6.3.1

You must engage with workers when identifying hazards, assessing risks, and deciding how to eliminate or minimise those risks.

6.3.2

Make sure all workers know and understand the hazards and risks they will face while on the job and the control measures to manage those risks.

6.3.3

Before starting any new block, involve all workers in identifying significant hazards and risks on the ground and in the operational process. Make sure they know what the control measures are for those risks and how to apply them.

6.3.4

Document all hazards and risks and control measures and make accessible to workers.

6.3.5

For each working day, involve all workers in daily tailgate meetings and daily work planning. Make sure workers are told:

• who is on site or might be coming on site
• of any changes in conditions or people that may affect work that day (for example, changing weather, a key person being away or a piece of equipment being out of action).

6.4 Make sure workers have the right training and supervision

6.4.1

As a PCBU, you must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, workers:

• have adequate knowledge and experience so they are not likely to cause harm to themselves or other people
• are adequately trained in the safe use of plant, objects, substances or equipment.

6.4.2

Workers still gaining adequate knowledge and experience must be adequately supervised by someone with that knowledge and experience.

6.4.3

The training and supervision requirements are explained in Section 11. Training or supervision for certain roles will be discussed as relevant.

6.5 Facilities and equipment for workers

6.5.1

There are facilities and equipment (including first aid and PPE) you must provide workers under certain circumstances. These are discussed in the following sections.