FICA recently conducted a Forest Industry Mechanisation survey. Given that mechanised falling and manual falling should go hand in hand, there were a number of questions regarding manual tree falling. I will share an abbreviated summary of some of the feedback. There will be a more in-depth review in the next Logger Magazine.
All those that responded had mechanised felling capability with 60% of respondents felling 90%+.
When manual falling 38% were using their own fallers, 35% using contract fallers and 27% using both. This indicates that there is a significant use of contract fallers used in the industry.
A question that has become very topical in the last few years as mechanisation has increased is ‘How do you keep your manual tree fallers match fit?’ 38% of respondents use contract fallers, 31% use specified hours per month, 8% work inhouse in other crews, 4% contract their fallers out to other contractors.
In answer to the question ‘Do you believe the Industry should still be manually falling’ 77% said yes.
Respondents were then asked - ‘What they thought about the current Safetree Certification for tree falling?’
50% said it was meeting all their requirements, 23% most of their requirements, 19% some requirements and only 8% meets few requirements.
It terms of how it can be improved we received comments such as:
‘I think all contract fallers must have it’
'more trainers’
'Less cost, when mech falling 90% of our trees it is a big cost keeping manual fallers certified falling small amounts’,
‘Don’t let people with minimal experience oversee it. Don’t forget it is a practical skill not a written exam’
‘more engagement with contractors to provide their feedback on what practical works in forestry’
’having one standard’
‘should be mandatory’
Of those that responded 62% had fallers that were Safetree Certified, 54% had fallers certified under a different certification scheme, 73% said certification should be mandatory and 50% said FICA should have a tree falling policy and procedure that covers all members, however 38% were unsure.
There will be increased focus on manual tree falling this year, it is included in Worksafe’s Sector plan for forestry. FISC is also in the process of a major review of Safetree Certification for manual tree falling.
FICA has and will be involved in both the implementation of the Sector plan and the review of certification, your feedback (in confidence) will be shared to inform this process.
Thanks to all that responded to the survey.
