New forest guide in effect
Tasmanian safety authorities have announced new standards for working in forests.
The new Forest Safety Code (Tasmania) 2021 is now in effect, with WorkSafe Tasmania urging workplaces to use the 2021 version for guidance.
The code covers general safety principles for working alone, road access restrictions, operator competency, personal protective clothing, forest operations signage, onsite amenities, first aid, emergencies procedures, tools, work vehicles, tools, and fire equipment.
It applies to work involving chainsaws and brushcutters, manual tree felling, higher risk tree felling, mechanised felling, firewood cutting, log extraction. machinery, log landings, transportation, road construction and maintenance, silviculture and forest fire fighting.
Further, it also covers human factors such as fatigue, dehydration, fitness for work, UV exposure, noise and more.
The document is accessible in PDF form, here.