Editorial: Forest deaths too high

There will be a series of inquests into forestry workers' deaths

As I sit at my desk working on today's newspaper, I'm feeling pretty grateful.

My job is varied, interesting, exciting, fun and yes, very busy - but thankfully it's not (usually) dangerous.

Spare a thought for those who work in the forestry industry.

The number of people hurting themselves, or worse still, dying in forestry accidents is climbing.

Today we report forestry is the country's deadliest industry. On average there have been five forestry deaths a year between July 2007 and August this year.

If you are a loved one or family member of someone involved in the industry, it must be pretty scary waving them off to work each day.

There needs to be public outrage about those figures.

News out today reveals there will be a series of inquests into forestry workers' deaths with the aim of identifying what's actually going wrong in the industry.

The move will see five inquests held in the Bay of Plenty from March next year, conducted by Bay of Plenty Coroner Wallace Bain from Rotorua.

The family of Robert Arapeta Epapara of Rotorua have said this is welcome news, as there is clearly reason to take a deeper look at forestry safety practices.

But my only worry is what happens to the findings? Will they really be listened to? Will there be changes?

Coroners have already made recommendations about safety standards, yet the death and injury rates are getting worse.

Perhaps recommendations are needed for harsher penalties for those who are found to be lacklustre with their safety practices.