International Forest Safety Conference with a difference

THE FOREST INDUSTRY ENGINEERING Association’s (FIEA) biennial Forest Safety Conference will go ahead in June – with a difference. The new digital format in response to lockdown restrictions will take place from 16-18 June and an international audience is expected.

“While lockdown conditions have forced enormous restrictions on all of us, we have a large, loyal following of safety leaders in forest managers and their contractors. We think they’ll welcome this series,” says FIEA director John Stulen.

“We’ve shifted our speakers and their presentations online, taking 12 of our key presenters from our two-day conference to adapt their message to the shorter webinar format,” he says.

The digital format will allow for networking too. The topics covered include:

• Keynote Session: Recognising Fatigue

Factors for Positive Workplace Change

• Te Kupenga Mahi and other Cultural Factors: Why They Matter for Improving Safety at Work

• Adopting and Adapting the Latest Safety

Technologies and Practices for Forestry • New Safety Techniques and Technologies for Log Transport & Logistics

Mr Stulen says the safety leaders, who number in the hundreds now in forest companies, and their contractors have all been loyal conference delegates since 2013. “Our strong links with Canadian and Australian safety leaders also helps bring new ideas for safety innovations that work in all three countries,” he says.

“Hats off to our sponsors who have been 100 percent supportive of us,” he adds. “They have been hugely supportive of this move and we’re working closely with McFall Fuel, VicForests, SafeTree and WorkSafe New Zealand to bring the experience of our practical subject matter experts together like this.”

Registrations are open online now at: https://forestsafety.events/#Program

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