ROGER HARRIS, Ombudsman, BC Forest Safety, Canada

Roger Harris has experience in many areas of the forest sector. He has worked as a dishwasher in a logging camp, been a board member for a Local of the IWA and has owned and operated his own phase logging contract business.

Harris knows firsthand the importance of safety and the impact that injuries and fatalities can have on workers and their families. In 1986 while working as a falling contractor, his right hand was nearly severed when his chainsaw kicked back. His brother-in-law was killed in a forestry accident at age 18.

"I have a passion for the woods becoming a safe place because I've been there. I've lived the worst side of it, but I think it's still the greatest occupation in the world. I want the Ombudsman's office to be a vehicle that deals with issues before we have incidents."

LANCE BURDETT, Founder & Director, WARN International, New Zealand

With 22 years critical workplace safety experience including time as a crisis negotiator, protection officer, and emergency responder, Lance brings a unique approach to workplace health and safety.

He combines an understanding of how psychology can be used to enhance safe practices, ways to mitigate dangers through teamwork, and personal resilience tips to boost energy and stay alert to risk.

Returning for a second year, Lance will bring an extension to last year’s presentation on important topics including; why it is that we reflect on ourselves when speaking with others, the different ways in which we ‘think’ about events, what are these thoughts that we keep having, and how to significantly reduce our worry. He will also show us how to identify when a mate is struggling, why it is that they are reluctant to reach out for help, and what to say and do to help them. This promises to be another engaging presentation with yet more practical tools for us all to use.

If you are keen to be a speaker at our conference and you are an early adopter, developer, innovator, technology supplier, service provider or researcher within the forestry sector specifically around safety, our conference team would like to hear from you.

Contact the FIEA Office on 07 921 1382 and ask to speak to John Stulen, Programme Manager for this event. Alternatively, email John at john.stulen@fiea.org.nz.