52 | The four key pillars The Skipps Logging team includes a wide range of experience from young apprentices through to more seasoned hands. T T from page 50 FORESTRY Skipps Logging Once a month a health & safety meeting is held with the team. Because of Mandie’s passion for health & fitness she usually brings her boxing gloves and at the end of the meeting there is a little box before going back to work. “Again, that’s about getting the brain switched back on and being more alert for good decision making.” Over the past couple of years Mandie has performed quarterly blood pressure checks on the crew and this year commenced measuring their waste circumference and blood glucose testing as way of detecting potential health issues. “As people move into machines, the jobs are more sedentary and it’s much easier to put on a lot of weight. Men over 100cm around the waist are at high risk to strokes, Type2 diabetes and heart disease. “A blood-glucose meter is another way to support the prevention of Type2 diabetes. Men typically never go to the doctor unless they’re really sick so by doing this and detecting a trend forming with an individual, we can steer them to their GP. The guys appreciate the emphasis that we put on health, safety and wellbeing. I’m really proud of how far we’ve come and how each and every one of them have embraced that health and safety is also about wellbeing.” Skipps Logging team includes a wide range of experience from young apprentices through to more seasoned hands. “We’re all about trying to train our people in as many roles as possible, because the more versatile they are the better it is for the business, and happier skilled people are less likely to get bored because they can perform a number of roles. The attraction for a young bushman used to be getting onto a chainsaw falling trees. Now they want to get in the machine and fall trees.” Mandie makes the point that the industry has a massive shortage of skilled workers “I think many people don’t realise how rewarding the industry is and how far you can progress if you are passionate, work hard and train. If you love the outdoors and don’t mind getting up early it’s a pretty special place to work.” • General &Precision Engineers • OnsiteMaintenance&Welding 07 878 6900 Te Kuiti 0800 947 426 sales@mobicomm.co.nz www.mobicomm.co.nz TALK TOTHE EXPERTS FOR SMART VOICE AND DATA SOLUTIONS Proud to partner with Skipps Logging to keep their team connected
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