[columns] [span8]

Several forestry contracting businesses have completed a move over to FOLS recently.

The following businesses have officially signed on all of their operators to the skills verification program. This move follows the initiatives of HVP Plantations (HVP) and the Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA), who recently endorsed FOLS.

  • Austimber Harvesting Gippsland
  • Forestry Services Logging Pty Ltd
  • Galzon Logging
  • Retreev Pty Ltd
  • Richards Harvesting & Haulage

[/span8][span4]

[/span4][/columns]

All five companies undertake work for HVP Plantations, which this year endorsed FOLS as their preferred tool to manage operators’ high risk competencies.

John Dodson, HVP’s Human Resources General Manager, said a further 13 forestry contracting businesses are also well advanced in the process of moving their operators on to FOLS, which will see a total of 18 contracting businesses with over 140 operators moving over to FOLS in a six month period.

“HVP has assisted contractors financially and by working one-on-one with them to bring their training and currency records on to FOLS.”

“With FOLS, we now have a consistent and accessible tool for working with contractors on their training and workplace health and safety requirements,” said Dodson.

The first HVP contractor to complete their transition to FOLS was Austimber, which is also a member of AFCA.

Ian Reid, Director of Austimber and former Chairman of the AFCA Board, said he is very pleased with the service FOLS has provided the business.

“In a world where systems and processes tend to be made more complicated it is pleasing to see a system become available that is easy and simple to use. It is such an effective system for managing the skills of employees and supporting safety in the workplace.”

“A key benefit is how it has helped us to manage risk. Through FOLS we are able to quickly know who is trained and skilled to undertake particular activities,” said Reid.

AFCA became advocates of FOLS this year, signing an agreement with ForestWorks to provide their members with discounted FOLS fees.

Diana Lloyd, General Manager of ForestWorks, said the interest in FOLS has increased following the endorsement by HVP and AFCA.

“Word is spreading about the benefits of FOLS and we are pleased to see so many businesses getting behind the initiative.”

“We are committed to further developing FOLS, to provide a national platform for industry to demonstrate their safe practice standards and professionalism,” said Lloyd.

FOLS is a national industry-led program, managed by ForestWorks. For more information about the FOLS Skills Verification Program, visit fols.forestworks.com.au

Some of the Austimber Operators being presented with their new FOLS Cards by Stephen Wentworth from HVP. Clockwise: David Aucote, Laurie Trewin, Alan Hegarty, Michael Jordan and Chris McInnes.