Safety measures reduces risk of serious injury in forestry

Safety measures reduces risk of serious injury in forestry

Friday 10 Apr 2026

This safety alert is a reminder to manage the risks around light utility vehicles on the job. A forestry worker was seriously injured when the vehicle they were using rolled over on steep terrain. The person was ejected from the vehicle, causing significant injuries. They were airlifted to hospital.

The worker was transporting a large amount of seedling bags to the upper slopes of a property during pine planting. A standard light utility vehicle (LUV) was being used to carry out the job. The land was steep, without well-established tracks, making it hard for the vehicle to get around. The weather conditions were fair, but drizzly.

The worker drove off track, and the LUV became stuck on a sharp angle. After taking off their seatbelt, they removed the bags, and, using their training, tried to reverse. The vehicle flipped and the worker was ejected as it fell.

The event was significant. The driver was wearing a helmet, was trained on what to do, and the doors and curtains on the LUV were closed. It’s likely that the incident would’ve been much worse if these steps weren’t taken.

Remember

Always check your surroundings: Steep, wet terrain makes things more dangerous.
Know your route: Going off-track increases the risk of rollover. Use formed routes, mark up ‘no-go’ areas, and maintain straight up/down travel where you can.
Safety gear counts: Wear a helmet – it’s likely that the driver’s injuries would’ve been worse without one. Keep your seatbelt on until the vehicle is fully stable and an ‘all clear’ is given.
Use the right equipment for the job: LUVs may not be safe when tracks or weather are bad.
Focus on safety: Follow good practice and support each other to stop, change, or assess work if needed. Everyone should go home healthy and safe.

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Source & image credit: WorkSafe NZ

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