‘Harden-up culture’ thing of past

A forestry pilot programme which aims to address the industry’s ‘harden up’ culture has been extended across the central North Island.

WorkSafe and the Forestry Industry Safety Council employed two ‘toroawhi’ a year ago to better care for the mental health of workers — one in the Taupo¯, Tokoroa and Rotorua areas, and another in the Taira¯whiti region.

WorkSafe data shows nationally, on average, one forestry worker a week has been seriously injured or ill because of their job in the past year. Three people died in forestry accidents in the past year in NZ.

Richard Stringfellow, a toroawhi working across the central North Island, said mental health was a huge factor in workplace safety “If life is good at home and you’re coming to work with a clear head then your mind is going to be on the job.”

In his roving role he has been regularly meeting crews on their breaks and meetings.

Stringfellow started his work with the crews by explaining his own difficulties juggling mental health and his 30-year forestry career.

He tells them: “We’ve got to get over that culture of harden up . . . those days are gone.”

The workers are invited to meet with him privately to discuss ways to improve their wellbeing.

“Their [each worker’s] story isn’t going to go any further. I’m just getting them the support they need.”

He was excited to see the pilot extended to 18 months.

“More so for the workers . . . so if they’ve got problems, they can come to somebody independent of their employer.

“Over the last few months, we have set up workers with counselling services, encouraged them to get fit and even helped link some with budgeting services.”

WorkSafe forestry engagement leader Grant Duffy said the toroawhi had been successful in shifting h attitudes and improving wellbeing.

Forestry contributes about $6.7 billion of annual gross income to New Zealand a year.