Staying safe in the pines

OneFortyOne and forest contractors are urging the public to adhere to safety signage and stay safe in the forest.

OneFortyOne Health, Safety, and Risk Manager Chandru Samy emphasised the importance of following signage, particularly at harvest sites.

“Harvesting sites are hazardous due to the presence of harvesting machines, trucks, falling trees, and other heavy machinery,” Chandru said.

“Ignoring signage and entering an active harvest site is dangerous, not only to yourself but also to those working in the forest.”

Chandru explained that constant communication during operations ensures everyone and all equipment are accounted for at all times.

“Visibility from the harvesters for example is relatively limited outside of the tree they’re cutting down, so good communication means operators can do their jobs safely and with the peace of mind that everyone on site is safe too,” he added.

He also noted that anyone unexpectedly or unauthorized on site is at risk and can endanger crews.

“No one wants to be part of an accident,” Chandru said.

Forest area closures in place during harvest operations and are usually reopened within weeks.

“To ensure the safety of everyone in the forest, we urge all visitors to follow any signage. If you’re unsure, find another location to explore,” Chandru said.

“We all share the responsibility of maintaining a safe environment.”

“Local forests are beautiful places to enjoy, and with over 300,000 hectares of forest in the region, there’s always somewhere to explore safely.”

OneFortyOne has also published a video explaining some hazards in the forest, available to view on their Facebook page and website.