Fuel price pressures & the risks of returning to motor‑manual felling

Friday 17 Apr 2026

 
As the forestry sector responds to the current fuel supply and price pressures, the Forest Industry Safety Council (FISC) recognises that companies are actively exploring ways to adapt, innovate and control costs.

As part of this response, FISC understands that some operations are considering a shift away from mechanised felling towards increased use of motor-manual felling, largely to reduce fuel consumption. FISC is concerned that any widespread return to motor‑manual felling would significantly increase risk to workers.

The Approved Code of Practice for Forestry Operations clearly identifies motor‑manual felling as one of the most hazardous activities in forest harvesting. Historically, the majority of serious injuries and fatalities in the forestry sector have occurred during motor‑manual felling operations.

The move to mechanised felling instead has delivered the single most significant reduction in harm and fatalitiesseen in the sector. This safety gain has been hard-won, and FISC would hate to see it eroded.

A broad shift back to motor‑manual felling risks reversing this progress and exposing workers to substantially higher levels of danger.

FISC chief executive Joe Akari acknowledges that motor‑manual felling is still used successfully in some operations, particularly in terrain or environments where mechanised machines cannot safely operate. However, these operations typically rely on highly developed and rigorously applied safe systems of work to manage the increased risk.

Such systems include:
  • Robust risk assessment and work planning
  • Comprehensive and site‑specific felling plans
  • Use of qualified Level 3 and Level 4 fallers only
  • Use of Safetree‑certified fallers, with annual competency assessments
  • Active monitoring through Safe Behavioural Observations
  • Proven worker match‑fitness, with specified minimum and maximum hours to maintain skill and fitness
  • Observers available where required
  • Strong communication and check‑in systems
  • Effective fatigue management practices
  • Industry best‑practice Personal Protective Equipment
  • Consistent use of the Five‑Step Felling Plan
  • Maintenance of a minimum two tree‑length exclusion zone
“These are multiple, overlapping layers of control that have been developed over time and are practised every day to keep motor‑manual fallers safe and supported,” Akari says. “They are not systems that can be put in place overnight.”

He urges all forestry operators to carefully weigh short‑term cost pressures against the long-term safety risks associated with changing felling methods. “While fuel costs are a significant challenge, worker safety must remain the paramount consideration above all else,” he says.

Source: Safetree


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