No person shall carry out any task or operate any plant or item of machinery unless they are fully trained in that operation. Those who are not trained or who have not reached the appropriate level of competence must be supervised while undertaking formal training.

No persons under the age of 16 years will be employed or permitted to work on any operational sites.

Unless being an employee and directly involved in the operation, no person under the age of 18 years shall be a passenger in any heavy truck or ride on any heavy machinery. No passenger is permitted in any heavy machinery unless a manufacturer’s passenger seat is provided.

Safety helmet in hi-viz fluorescent colours to NZSS must be worn by all personnel. This includes machine /truck operators when outside their machines and visitors to the worksite.   Helmets must be in good condition and not exceed manufacturer’s expiry date.

Safety footwear (steel toe cap) must be worn by all personnel including visitors to operational areas. Visitors may be exempt providing they do not enter operational areas.

Hearing protection (grade 4 earmuffs) must be worn when operating any chainsaw or machinery. Any other persons within the operational area exposed to chainsaw and or machinery noise for more than one hour must also wear earmuffs as above. All earmuffs must be in good condition.

Safety trousers or chaps that conform to NZS 5840:1988 are the minimum quality to be used in the workplace. These must be in good condition and worn at all times when operating a chainsaw. Safety trousers/chaps must extend down past the top of the safety boots

Hi – viz vests/clothing must be worn by all visitors and personnel this includes machine and truck operators when outside their machines. All such clothing should be in good condition so that the hi-viz capability is not impaired. Rain gear should be bright PVC waterproof clothing which will be considered as hi-viz

Chainsaw Operations

All chainsaw operators must have received instructions to minimum of LFITB Basic Maintenance and Use or be under constant supervision and training until qualified by a registered trainer.

All saws must be fitted with a strong safety mitt (in good condition) and an operational chain brake. The saw is to be in a good working order and operators must use the mitt at all times while using the saw.

Saws must be started by approved methods only. NO DROP STARTING

Storage of fuel and other flammable liquids will be in containers made of steel or other approved materials. Storage of petrol and other flammable liquids is only permitted in plastic containers that have a LAB approval number. Plastic containers without LAB approval may be used for the transportation of fuel on foot and “on site” for refueling provided they:

 i)   Are rigid and firm (not soft drink variety)

ii)   Do not exceed two litres capacity

ii)   All containers of unused fuel must be emptied after the days work into the main storage container.

Felling

No tree feller and their assistants will work within two tree lengths of any tree being felled by another worker.

All fellers must carry on their person a minimum of 3 wedges (4 wedges are recommended) for all felling operations and suitable tool to hammer them in e.g. hammer or maul.

No feller or other worker working in the felling area will work under a hang-up or forward of a scarfed tree, a tree which has sat on the back cut. These trees and any dead spars must be brought to the ground before operations continue. 

Logging signs complete with the supplementary “OTHER HAZARD” must be placed in a prominent position on the road either side of operations. Felling signs must be placed on all roads if felling is within two tree lengths of any road. This must be done before felling commences.

Where trees and or flying debris are likely to fall or be thrown onto a roadway the road is to be closed off or controlled with flagmen.

There will be “no driving” of trees except as permissible under the Safety Code for Bush Undertaking.

Machinery Operations – Breaking Out and Extraction

The person in charge of breaking out shall have a clear, unmistakable system of signaling.

Only one person shall give signals at any one time.  Exception:  Any person may give an emergency or stop signal.

The breaker-out shall move to a safe position:

i)      Where movement will not be restricted and clear of the end of the log not alongside it;
ii)     Behind the uphill side of the drag (if possible);
iii)    Out of the rope bight;
iv)    Clear of any material likely to be dislodged during the extraction;
v)     Out of reach of any log swinging or upending; before signaling the machine operator to breakout.

Log strops shall not be hooked or unhooked while the machine or winch rope is moving.

Machine operators shall take additional precautions when advised by the breaker-out that a log may swing or up-end, and shall ensure all persons/mobile plant near the swinging log is clear when this occurs.

There is to be NO riding on the side of any moving machinery under any circumstances.

All loose items carried within moving machinery, must be securely fastened.

Ground Based Operations

Strops shall be attached no more than 1 metre (if practicable) from the end of log/tree.

Winch ropes shall be long enough to ensure machines are not put in hazardous situations at breakout

Winches shall not be operated from outside the canopy or cab.  Exception: Radio-controlled winches equipped with a fail-safe device.

Machine operators required to attach strops to logs, shall first:

i)    Angle the machine away from breaking-out area
ii)    Apply the brake
iii)   Lower all hydraulics
iv)    Ensure the winch is in the free spool position

Breaker-outs shall position themselves clear of the machine until it is stationary.

The breaker-out shall be in view of the machine operator.

Skid Sites

Skids shall be constructed, arranged, maintained and operated so that:

i)    All logs can be landed safely
ii)   Workers may work in the clear of moving logs and equipment
iii)  Hazards are eliminated, isolated or minimized

Sufficient area shall be provided for parking of workers transport and smoko/rest facilities:

i)   Clear of any work activity
ii)   Clear of any road carriageway
iii)   With an exit open at all times

Skid Site Construction

All dangerous trees within reach of the skid shall be removed before operations begin.  Particular attention shall be given to:

i)   Trees leaning towards the skid
ii)  Trees on the prevailing wind side
iii) Trees disturbed in skid formation

Over burden, cast material, rocks or stumps shall not be placed where they will create a hazard to operations.

Unstable logging debris around the edge of the skid shall be made safe before workers enter the hazard zone.

Waste (such as limbs or tops) shall not be allowed to accumulate and impede movement of workers or machinery.  It shall be regularly cleared to provide a clean work site as far as practicable.

Work on Skids

Work areas shall be organized and spaced so that the actions of one worker will not create a hazard for another worker.

A one-meter gap shall be maintained between the counterweights of boom loaders and any obstruction.

Workers shall:

i)     Stay clear of log loaders and extraction machines
ii)    Watch for swinging or suspended logs
iii)   Watch for the radius of swing of boom loaders
iv)   Not pass alongside trucks being loaded
v)    Try to face operating machines if possible
vi)   Remain in view
vii)  Notify machine operator when leaving/returning to the skid area

All stems shall be assessed for tension before commencing log making, and appropriate steps taken to minimize this hazard

Signage as detailed in the Transit NZ booklet Temporary Traffic control and Control at Roadwork Sites shall be displayed when using public/private roads to sort, stack or load logs

Machine operators shall ensure people are clear before blading or straddling logs

To enable strops to be safely removed from the drag after dropping it on the skid, machine operators should release rope tension, move machine forward and stop

No load/log shall be swung above or within reach of any person

Loading and unloading operations shall only be performed by plant with adequate lifting capacity

Rules for Loading

Persons may remain in truck cabs except when:

i)    Loading/unloading debarked logs
ii)   Loading/unloading by open sling method
iii)  There is a risk of short logs falling out when unloading

Truck Drivers and persons involved in loading/unloading shall be:

i)    In sight of the machine operator at all times
ii)   At a safe pre-designated position

The truck driver shall have final responsibility to ensure the vehicle in their control is loaded to the correct length, weight and height; and that their load is secure and in accordance with the Approved Code of Practice for Safety and Health in Forest Operations

Machine Operators

When leaving machine or making machine repairs park on level ground with the brake on and lower all raised gear to the ground.

Skid Site Maintenance

Rubbish containers will be used on site for the disposal of empty containers and rubbish and will be brought back to the Tuatapere site to be emptied

First Aid

Each gang must have on site a fully equipped first aid kit which is checked regularly and restocked if necessary. Each kit should comprise of

All personnel when using cutting tools must carry a belt kit containing not less than two large wound dressing, which are to be kept sterile and dry

Each gang must contain at least one First Aider, trained to a minimum of LFITB General Requirement standard, at all times.

IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY:

PERSON ONE:

·     Promptly assess situation AND

·     Call other bushmen immediately to safety or for assistance

·     Call L&D office 03-226-6059, OR

·     Call 111 or local police 03-226-9020 or L&D office 03-226-6059, or Radio Telephone DT King channel for immediate assistance.

Concisely describe the nature of the emergency, the service required and the location of the best access point for emergency services. Currently, for the Jubilee Block, Rapid Number 451 Jubilee Hill Road.

The coordinates for the current entrance to the Jubilee Block are:

NZMG: Easting 2117200,   Northing 5441570

NZTM: Easting 1207330,   Northing 4879540

PERSON TWO AND PERSON THREE:

Stay at emergency site to assist and or give first aid.

PERSON FOUR:

Go out to best access point at a public road to await and direct emergency services.

Stay calm and work together. In the case of an accident or injury use your knowledge and experience to administer first aid. Make the site safe and accessible for emergency services. Stop any bleeding and make person as comfortable as possible.

In the case of a vehicle fire or bush fire:

Follow the above emergency procedures. Do not assume you will be able to put the fire out on your own or as a crew.

Assume the fire will get out of control and follow above procedures.

Ensure all personnel are accounted for and that there is a safe exit from the site or forest. Prepare crew van for immediate exit if required.

Reassess situation and if practical and safe, make an attempt to extinguish or contain the fire, using the fire fighting equipment on site. If in doubt, get out of the forest immediately.

When safely positioned and the extent of the fire has been determined  call Tuatapere Helicopters  Dale Green 027 568 8204 and request helicopter and water bucket to extinguish the fire.

Liaise with emergency services but an immediate response using the helicopter will minimise any further safety risk and arrest the spread of fire.

Fire fighting equipment on site:

All heavy bush vehicles – dozer, forwarder and excavators must be fitted with suitable fire extinguishers – a minimum of 4.5 kg ABE type extinguishers.

All light vehicles eg. crew vans must be fitted with a 2 kg ABE type extinguisher.

A minimum of 2 shovels on site at all times

Cell phones and/or radio communicators with forest company channels must  be operational at all times.

Prevention is better than cure:

Daily monitoring of weather conditions eg. prolonged high and dry temperature conditions significantly increase the risk of fire.

Maintenance and cleaning of vehicles is another factor that will minimise risk of fire in vehicles, particularly slash and debris around wire ropes, winches and engine components.

Under normal weather conditions all harvesting machinery should be cease 30 minutes before close of work e g. 4.00 pm if 4.30 pm closure.

In prolonged high temperature conditions (eg. high fire risk) harvesting operations should cease at 3.00pm

These times will allow for the monitoring of any potential vehicle fire or heat and spark creating a bush fire.

Use this time to check, clean and maintain the heavy machinery and chainsaws.

As a minimum standard all vehicles, chainsaws and general equipment should be checked and maintained on a weekly basis – this includes all fire fighting equipment such as extinguishers and medical first aid packs.

Smoking is restricted within the operational forest area to roadways and designated areas.

Welding and grinding operations in forest:

Internal welding work permit is required.

Maintain an area free of any combustible material at a 5 metre radius around the site.

Welding and grinding should take place wherever possible on the roadline, with the site dampened down and fire extinguisher at hand.

Site should be monitored for 30 minutes after completion.

The risk of fire within our forest estate is generally low, with vehicle fires being the higher risk and source of ignition.

Regular monitoring and maintenance of plant and equipment is essential.

No expense should be spared in the prevention of fire and the safety of staff and contractors.

As this harvest planning progresses, the Pre-Op & Pre Harvest Planning forms are filled in. At the same time, you also need to record on the map:

*

areas which are inaccessible or not worth harvesting,

*

the location of streams and the best crossing points,

*

where streams could reasonably be classed as being 3 metres or wider,

*

the location of any historic sites,

*

logical changes to TSA boundaries and the correct path of streams where the map is wrong.

You also need to fill in the Pre-Op form to record:

*

the occurrence of old growth silver beech, rimu or other podocarps,

*

the occurrence of mistletoe or other rare, threatened or endangered species (see identification pictures below for main RTE species),

*

the presence of common animals (see list below), and,

*

any evidence of plant or animal pests (see list below).

And the Pre Harvest Planning form to record that:

*

field maps have been marked and updated where necessary,

*

relevant in-forest marking has been done, and,

*

any special trees have been marked.

6. DEALING WITH SPECIAL SITES

1

All archaeological and waahi tapu sites, and historic places identified within the forest estate will be:

a

protected and treated according to the relevant legislation and regulations, and the wishes of the Tangata Whenua;

b

recorded on the company’s mapping system;

c

systematically considered during roading, harvesting and other operational planning.

2

Staff and contractors will be trained in:

a

field recognition of archaeological sites and historical places;

b

procedures to be followed in the event of the accidental discovery of such sites.

3

• 

mark the location of sites on field maps supplied to harvesting crews;

• 

mark the boundaries of the area using white or hi-viz posts or battens;

• 

brief the relevant operations crew on the location of the site and how interference with the site is to be avoided;

• 

check the site for any damage after operations are completed.

•

•

all machinery will be removed;

•

the area will be flagged/taped and posted as a no go area, and those working in the vicinity advised;

•

nothing in the discovery site (eg. remains or artefacts) will be removed;

•

there will be no earthworks or felling within 10 metres of the discovery site;

•

the operations manager will be immediately notified about the discovery.

•

The operations manager will notify the Historic Places Trust and seek advice from the Southland Museum/consultant archaeologist and Tangata Whenua on how to proceed. In the case of human remains, the police should be notified.

•

The site/ artefacts discovered will be inspected and assessed by an archaeologist and tangata whenua representative at the earliest opportunity, and if found to be a site, a plan made for its management (or legal modification).

•

The site will recorded on the company’s mapping system for protection during future operations planning.

•

Refresher training courses will be undertaken as required.

•

Exceptional or elite trees of excellent form and stature (as seed sources).

The quality of the timber in the forest will improve over time if the very best trees are left as seed sources. This is important.

Trees which contain Mistletoe (Peraxilla tetrapetala) or Peraxilla colensoi and which are rare or uncommon[1] in the TSA.

[1] Judged as occurring on less than 1% of trees over 20cm Dbh per hectare in the Pre-Operations Site Assessment.

Any trees containing mistletoe are required to be left standing only if mistletoe occurs in the TSA and it occurs on less than 1 tree in 100 (over 20cm dbh) within that TSA.

Trees including dead trees and spars over 6 metres which could be nesting habitat for kaka, long-tailed and short-tailed bats, kakariki and falcon, provided those trees do not constitute a safety hazard in the immediate work environment.

Any trees which are nesting habitat for these species of fauna are required to be left standing provided they are not a safety hazard.

Requirements for canopy gaps.

•

The total expanded gap[2] area including tracking in any TSA shall not exceed 25% of the TSA area

•

The target expanded gap area shall be 400 –500 m².

•

Gaps shall have a minimum expanded gap area of 300 m².

•

Gaps shall have a maximum expanded gap area of 5,000 m²

•

The distance between canopy gaps shall be no less than the average equivalent diameter of neighbouring gaps.

•

The shape of expanded gaps shall be as uniform and compact as possible (see diagram Appendix 1).

•

All species of trees selected for harvesting and which are 20 cm dbh and over within a gap shall be felled and extracted.

•

All trees 20 cm dbh and over that are selected for felling, whether for roading, tracking, or gap creation, must have their diameter measured at breast height and recorded.

A critical element to the L&D yield control system is that all trees harvested or felled for whatever reason must be measured and recorded.

Measure the tree at breast height with the diameter tape supplied and record the measurement on your daily CrewCut sheet. Breast height is 1.4 metres above ground level on the uphill side of the tree. The tape must lie flat on the bark, clear of moss, debris, and swellings, and must be straight and at right angles to the line of the stem. Take time to read the tape correctly.

The measurement must be recorded in centimetres. (eg. A tree which is 1.25 metres in diameter will be recorded as 125, not 1.25m and not 1250mm). Record the diameter to the nearest centimetre. (Round 0.5 upwards).

At the top of your CrewCut sheet, you must record your name, the date (including the year), the canopy gap number and the TSA you are working in. Write the measurements neatly and in clear columns. If the tree is not a Silver beech, make sure the species code is clearly connected with its diameter. Enter the tree species ‘Ri’ (Rimu), ‘Mi’ (Miro), ‘Ma’ (Matai), ‘Ka’ (Kahikatea), ‘Km’ (Kamahi), ‘To’ (Totara).

You MUST use a new Crewcut page for a new day, a new gap or a new TSA

The crew supervisor is responsible for ensuring that all CrewCut sheets are collected and delivered to the office at least once each week. This data will be entered and analysed promptly so that the crew can get a progress report of the area and volume cut in the TSA.

•

All species of trees selected for harvesting, 20 cm dbh and over that are within a gap must be felled and any merchantable logs extracted.

•

Tracking gaps created by removing trees to access a new gap must be allocated to the new gap.

•

The sum of the areas of all gaps created in a TSA plus the area of tracking gaps in the TSA must not exceed 25% of the TSA area.

•

Trees within 20 metres of the edge of any stream 3 metres or wider must NOT be felled

In the Longwood and Rowallan Forest Estate, any stream with an average bed width of 3 metres or more automatically has a 20 metre wide Marginal Strip each side. This is required by law under the Conservation Act. No trees are to be felled inside this Marginal Strip except where essential:

·      For access to operational areas;

·      To maintain existing roading;

·      To preserve operational or public safety.

If roading, tracking or crossings associated with Marginal Strips are needed, all RMA requirements must be satisfied and the necessary Resource Consents must be obtained prior to work commencing.

•

The total area of expanded gaps that are within Riparian Zones of Influence (RZI) must not exceed 100m² per 1000m² of the RZI

Riparian Zones of Influence (RZI) are areas which:

·       Are within 5 metres of any permanently flowing stream having an average bed width of less than three metres;

·       Contain wetland or bog species;

·       Have soil conditions which are almost always saturated or are likely to be; or

·       A combination of these.

This means that unlike Marginal Strips along streams 3 metres or wider, trees can be selected and felled inside an RZI. But compared to tree selection and felling in other parts of the TSA, the canopy cannot be opened up quite so much.

•

Trees that are within 10 metres of the edge of any county road must not be felled

•

Directional felling techniques must be used to minimise damage to surrounding trees

The Post-operations assessment looks at how well this has been done. It looks at the direction of felling, the stump height, scarf, hinge wood, damage to neighbouring crowns, damage to upper stems & branches, damage to trunks & butts, hung-up debris and utilisation of the stem into logs. Minor damage is unavoidable and OK but it must be minimised.

•

At the completion of harvesting, the felling crew shall ensure that the structure and visual appearance of the stand reflects that of a well-managed forest.

9.  EXTRACTION GUIDELINES

•

Machines (diggers) used for extraction will be equipped with hard-wired GPS to record extraction paths. This data will be downloaded weekly in order to avoid the loss of data.

Extraction operations need to avoid damage to the soil.

•

Extraction operations will seek to avoid unnecessary soil disturbance on forest soils by winching, minimising passes and optimising drags

•

Extraction will only be carried out when track and forest soil conditions are or can be made suitable (such as with fascining)

•

The total length of extraction tracks (excluding single-pass snig tracks) in a TSA should not exceed 250 metres per hectare

The actual length of extraction track per hectare is not usually known until after operations have finished in a TSA and the tracks have been mapped with the GPS. The operations manager will advise the crew if the tracking per hectare is exceeding 250 m per hectare.

•

The crew supervisor may suspend log extraction operations in an area when forest soils, tracks, or skids are saturated and soil damage cannot be minimised.

Ground-based extraction operations will avoid contamination of streams.

•

The planning and layout of tracks will aim to minimise the number of stream crossings.

The planning and layout of tracks in a TSA needs to be done during the Pre-Op & Pre-Harvest site assessment. Walking the TSA and getting an idea of the terrain and any problem areas is essential for this aspect of harvest planning. In planning the track layout, you should also take into account any other TSAs that can only be accessed from the TSA under assessment.

•

Tracks crossing streams will use log bridges, culverts or other bridging structures to avoid damage to stream banks and undue water contamination

•

Tracks leading down into waterways will be fascined to minimise water contamination.

•

As soon as practicable after leaving one TSA for another, all bridging materials will be removed from streams, all fascining and other debris pulled back from the stream, and steps will be taken to minimise water contamination from run-off (such as suitably sized and located cut-offs).

Extraction operations will avoid damage to the stand.

•

As far as practicable, extraction tracks will avoid sharp corners

•

As far as practicable, damage to advance growth, saplings and the roots and stems of the remaining trees will be avoided during extraction. Particular care will be exercised to avoid damage to podocarp species.

•

Shovel logging is permitted when transferring logs across streams and in steeper areas unsuitable for dozer access

•

When breaking out, the digger operator will ensure that the boom is retracted and that there is sufficient swing clearance before turning. The same shall apply in circumstances requiring shovel logging

•

Sacrificial trees along extraction tracks and other trees irreparably damaged will be felled prior to moving to the next TSA

•

Prior to leaving one TSA for another, all debris on tracks and skids will be tidied up

It is important that as harvesting operations in each TSA are completed, steps are taken to reduce the impacts of the harvesting and to tidy up. Before leaving a TSA, it is essential to remove damaged stems and debris hang-ups, tidy up stream crossings and larger piles of slash and to treat any tracks which have become highly compacted, poorly drained or deeply rutted.

Measures to Avoid Fuel & Oil Spills and Pollution

*

Ensure all tanks, drums or other containers on-site are correctly labeled.

*

Monthly checks on storage tanks and containers checking for rust, leaks, and damaged or leaking hoses & fittings (Scheduled for first work day of each month).

*

Weekly pre-start-up checks on vehicle and machine fuel tanks, oil reservoirs, hoses and lines (Scheduled for first work day of each week).

*

Tanks, drums or other containers holding more than 5 litres of fuel or oil are not to be left within 10 metres of a running stream.

*

Fuel and oil containers and mobile fuel tanks should be positioned so as to avoid direct runoff into water-tables, waterways or riparian zones.

*

A suitably-sized drip tray should be positioned under filler nozzles and valves.

*

Care must be exercised when maneuvering vehicles or machines around or near mobile fuel tanks.

*

Chainsaws, chainsaw fuel and chainsaw oil containers must not be left where machine operators cannot see them.

*

Naked lights and hot parts of machinery must be kept at a safe distance from refueling operations.

*

Mobile fuel tanks must be parked in a prepared bund adjacent to but at a safe distance from the roadway (at least 3 metres) and on fairly even ground.

*

Fuel tank hoses need to be sufficiently long so that machinery can be parked and refueled at a safe distance.

*

Training is to be provided on the correct methods of refueling vehicles and machinery.

*

Suitable containers are to be kept on-site for waste oil, filter changes, and other contaminated waste.

*

At least two ‘Small Spill Kits’ and two shovels are kept in strategic locations (e.g. one at the mobile fuel tank and one on an active machine).

*

Regular refreshers and training is to be provided on the correct use of the Small Spill Kit. Instructions are to be held in each vehicle and machine.

*

Contaminated materials and waste are to be disposed of outside the forest and at facilities and by methods approved by Environment Southland.

Procedures to Deal With Minor Spills

*

STOP the flow by the most immediate and practical means possible.

*

Remove any sources of ignition.

*

Contain the spill using the Small Spill Kit and or any other suitable material at hand.

*

Advise the Operations Manager of the incident as soon as practicable.

*

Complete an Environmental Incident Form within 48 hours.

Procedures to Deal With Major Spills

*

Follow the procedures as for Minor Spills (above) except:

*

Advise the Operations Manager of the incident immediately.

*

The Operations Manager to report the incident to the appropriate emergency services and or Environment Southland.

*

The Operations Manager to complete an Environmental Incident Form within 24 hours.

LONGWOOD and ROWALLAN FOREST  – LINDSAY & DIXON

Last Updated   3^rd September 2012

Appendix 1

FOREST OPERATIONS BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

BUSHMEN’S MANUAL

I have read the Best Management Practice Guidelines and understand the tasks and requirements.

Signed

Date