New Zealand. When we think of our beautiful country, picturesque scenes usually come to mind. Think views that extend as far as the eye can see; lush rainforests and domineering mountains.
However, these scenes come with a price, and if the lush rainforests could speak, they might share a different perspective. It’s what renowned health and safety expert, Mike Cosman, calls a ‘dirty little secret’ of our country, that ruined many lives and sets us back decades; the ugly underbelly of a country, built on a perfect image. In simpler terms? The forestry industry is broken. Or, at least, it was - before the establishment of the Forestry Industry Safety Council, colloquially known as FISC. The industry suffered from extreme serious injury rates, and unusually high fatality rates. In the past decade, 2013 stands out as the most fatal year for forestry where, tragically, 13 workers lost their lives. Serious injuries resulting in more than a week away from work stood out only last year, with 162 reported.
Thanks to two key leaders, the industry is making a turnaround - albeit slowly - towards a stronger safety culture focusing on people’s safety at heart, over profit.
Fiona Ewing has recently stepped down from her role as head of FISC, a 7-year endeavour, where she’s helped lead tangible cultural change in the sector, ensuring that important safety conversations take place. Mike Cosman, renowned in the New Zealand health and safety space, is a key thought leader and safety expert, whose safety review of the forestry industry was the catalyst for FISC’s establishment.
As the CEO of ecoPortal, earlier this year I sat down with both of them to explore their role in FISC, and FISC’s role in the forestry industry.