How to notify us over the holiday period.
Notifications
If someone has been seriously injured, become seriously ill, or died as a result of work – phone us on 0800 030 040 straight away. We have staff available to respond to these 24/7.
If you’re not sure what a notifiable event is, including your obligation to hold a scene, visit What events need to be notified?
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If you’re not sure if you need to notify us, use our online notification system and we’ll respond to you after 6 January 2025.
Health and safety concerns
If you have a health and safety concern that isn’t urgent, use our online form and we’ll respond to you after 6 January 2025.
Raise a health or safety concern
General enquiries
General enquiries made by phone or email after 12pm on Tuesday 24 December will be responded to from Monday 6 January 2025. This does not apply to notifications made by phone on 0800 030 040.
We wish you a safe and relaxing holiday.
A 42-year-old skid worker received a serious injury when a log swung round in an arc and hit him. His ribs were fractured and lungs punctured.
Circumstances
The skidder operator released the drag of five logs. The skid worker was unable to release two of the logs. He signalled the operator to pull these logs forward and back off.
The skidder operator tensioned the rope backed up over the logs and strops. He then drove forward and turned the machine, causing a log to strike a stationary log which swung and hit the worker, who was moving forward to unhook the logs.
![[image] Shows truck towing logs and direction of swing that hits worker](/assets/Industry/Forestry/skid-worker-hurt-by-swinging-log.png)
Investigation
The investigation determined that the:
- skidder operator did not follow the signals given
- skid size was too large and resulted in the machine turning to move away from the released drag.
WorkSafe New Zealand advice
- Ensure signals are followed.
- Drive directly forward until all chain strops are unhooked and free of the logs.
- If for any reason the machine must turn to proceed from a released drag, the skid worker must be positioned clear of any log that may swing.
To which industries/sectors or matters will this information be relevant?
- Forestry
- Mobile plant
Published: July 2010. Updated August 2017.
While this bulletin has not been updated to reflect current work health and safety legislation (the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and regulations), it may still contain relevant information and practices to keep workers and others healthy and safe. Please read this guidance in conjunction with all relevant industry standards that apply to you as a PCBU. This guidance will be progressively reviewed and either updated, replaced with other guidance, or revoked.
Media contact details
For more information you can contact our Media Team using our media request form. Alternatively, you can:
Phone: 021 823 007 or
Email: media@worksafe.govt.nz
Last updated