This story is shared from the AFCA newsletter. AFCA is seeking feedback on the two projects:

  • Essential Training Standards 
  • Life Protecting Rules 

Essential Training Standards
The purpose of this project is to try to achieve an industry-wide commitment to Essential Training Standards (ETS).  It is proposed that, if adopted by industry, ETS will set base levels of training required by all those who work in operations when undertaking hazardous activities.

It will require ALL workers in the Australian Forest Industry to hold verifiable, nationally recognised, skill-based units of competency or that they are undergoing training when undertaking hazardous activities in an Australian commercial forest by January 1, 2020.

AFCA has already identified that if ETS was adopted by industry there would need to be careful consideration about access and the ability to train employees and the support needed to achieve the required training.  In addition, AFCA supports the FOLS Skills Verification Program and recognises that this tool could be used to support an ETS framework.

The proposed ETS includes two parts:

  • two Basic General Requirements for ALL those operating in commercial forests, and,
  • training specific to the Hazardous activity being undertaken.

Below is a table of the proposed training, which would be required for each of the hazardous activities.
Essential Training Standards
Basic or General Requirements:
  • FWPCOR2205B Follow OHS policies and procedures
  • FWPCOR2203B Follow environmental care procedures
Hazardous Activities: 
Life Saving Rules

It is proposed that a set of Life Saving Rules (LSR) be adopted nationally, which are an enforced set of behavioural-based rules related to hazards commonly faced in our industry.  A number of forest management companies already have similar types of behavioural rules that if breached will put your life or others at risk.

The draft set of LSR (provided below) is currently being considered by a range of stakeholders within industry for feedback.  It is anticipated these will potentially be reduced to 8 – 12 key behaviours.  It is proposed that AFCA members will also be provided support to implement these into their business and will be given a framework that supports them into action.

Both projects are designed to improve individual safety behaviour performance and the image of the industry across the country.  AFCA is considering both of these two projects, including if AFCA should make a formal commitment by signing a Charter or Statement of Commitment endorsing these nationally.

We need to hear from members before making a final decision on whether to support these.

Please provide your feedback via our website survey or email feedback to stacey@afca.asn.au or call 0419 328 093 by 14 May 2018.

Click here for AFCA website survey.