Certification isn’t just a box-ticking exercise in New Zealand’s forestry sector.“It’s one of the most powerful tools the industry has to reduce harm,” says Forestry Industry Safety Council (FISC) Chief Executive, Joe Akari.
It is for that reason he wants to see certification grow across the sector.
“Research from the International Labour Organisation shows that certification schemes – programmes that independently audit health and safety systems – can reduce harm by as much as 40%,” he says.
While this kind of research hasn’t been done specifically in New Zealand, he stresses the finding is anything but insignificant.
“It reinforces why certification is so key to improving standards across our sector. In a high-risk industry like forestry, staying safe requires more than just experience and good intentions – it demands constant sharpening of skills and systems. That’s why certification plays such a crucial role.”
FISC operates the Safetree Certification programme for contractors and workers.
Still, Joe says, the goal is not simply to grow Safetree Certification numbers – it’s to lift certification rates across the board.
“If contractors and forestry workers are getting certified, no matter by whom, that’s achieving our overall goal: safer workers. The Safetree scheme is just one way to support that, alongside other providers.”
Confidence, consistency and opportunities
Certification involves both a desk audit – covering insurance, incident data and documentation – and a field audit focusing on risk management, competencies, leadership, employment conditions and forest practice. It’s designed to check that the systems operators rely on are actually working.
“It gives people confidence they’re doing the right things,” says Joe.
And over time, he adds, crews often take pride in their progress.
“Some crews start their certification journey with trepidation. But by the third audit, they’re saying, ‘we’re looking forward to this - it confirms we’re still on track’.”
For Kieran Kelly, foreman of the small Manawatū-based production thinning operation, Roger Kelly Forest Harvesting, regular auditing and certification have become essential parts of running a modern forestry business.Although the team typically has only three or four people, Kelly says meeting industry standards is crucial to securing work and maintaining strong safety practices.
The company recently completed its second certification audit, but Kieran says the initial decision to pursue certification came when it became a requirement for a major Crown Forest thinning contract, and they’ve continued with it ever since.
“It’s the doors that certification opens, especially for government or corporate clients. It’s a good standard for what to look for when looking for contractors.”
While the audit process can feel daunting, Kieran believes the benefits are worth it.
Preparing can take considerable effort, but he describes the process as constructive and supportive rather than punitive.
“Both auditors that we’ve had have been there to help. Both have been really good at giving us ideas, and not just saying ‘you’ve failed this, you need to fix it’. They help get what you’re lacking up to scratch.”
Safetree Certification Manager, Mark Preece, says most Safetree audits identify opportunities for improvement – around 60% in total. He says these should be welcomed, not feared.
“There is a value add...
