FITEC introduces new safety award for 2011

A new award has been introduced to the annual FITEC National Training Awards in 2011 which will celebrate forest and wood manufacturing companies that have instigated an initiative which has made a huge difference to employee safety and productivity.

The Health & Safety award will recognize companies that have put in place an outstanding health and safety initiative in 2010. The forest industry has shown significant improvements in this area over recent years and is now one of the leading performers for innovation and effectiveness of safety initiatives, not just within forestry, but across all sectors in New Zealand.

Companies have to demonstrate outstanding health and safety standards which has shown to improve staff well being in the forestry sector.

“Safety is paramount in our industry,” says Ian Boyd, FITEC Chief Executive. “New and improved health and safety initiatives will lead to improved employee well being, and in turn higher productivity. We are delighted to introduce this new category to our awards so that outstanding companies get the recognition they deserve.”

Entries could include everything from initiatives which have addressed issues such as stress, fatigue, fitness and nutrition or those who have achieved significant change in health and safety practices across an entire company.

Sponsor of the award, ACC, says awards such as this are essential to recognizing the outstanding work of people leading safety in this sector.

Don Ramsay, ACC Programme Manager, Forestry says:

“The work in this sector is often hazardous, and it requires people with vision, people who can lead from the front, and people with commitment to the safety of their fellow workers, to ensure that everyone gets home safe at the end of the day.”

“The sector has an abundance of those people and this award provides ACC with an opportunity to acknowledge their achievement,” he says.

Companies have until May 20 to put forward their entry which includes the new Health & Safety award along with Modern Apprentice of the Year, Trainee of the Year and Training Company of the Year.

Winners of the National Training Awards for 2011 will be announced at a gala dinner and ceremony in Rotorua in September. The entry form, eligibility and criteria are available by going to www.fitec.org.nz.

The FITEC awards are part of the “Winning With Wood festival, a six week celebration of forest and wood-related activities around the country in September and October 2011.

Supported by NZ Trade & Enterprise, it coincides with Rugby World Cup when more than 85,000 tourists, many of them business people, are expected to visit New Zealand. The aim is to show the world what we can do with wood and to promote Kiwi innovation in our wood products and design.

For more information go to www.winningwithwood.com