Comment: LTSC Certification system improvements

IMG 4904 Mark Pittar from Mark Pittar Transport (right) with Chris Murphy IMG 4904
IMG 4907 Jason Williams from Williams and Wilshier Transport (right) with Chris IMG 4907
IMG 4909 Warwick Wilshier (on behalf of Campbell Gilmour) from Pacific Haulage (left) with Chris IMG 4909
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As the LTSC Certification system rolls out, LTSC announces a few more changes to make it easier to access

First up, we acknowledge that the audit process has now been operating for two years and that the support from forest owners has been greatly appreciated.

This also means we have been able to complete a formal review of the self-audit template to ensure all critical areas and training standards are up to date. The online audit is presently being updated to better enable contractors to navigate.

The review panel made up of Chris Murphy, Jason Williams, and Steve Borlase has made it easier for contractors to access the right tools to work through to achieving a three-star rating.

The process is as follows:

  • Firstly, the contractor or business needs to be a member of the LTSC
  • There’s no actual certification cost outside of the contractor/business paying the auditor. We have limited this to a daily rate of $1240. If the audit takes over that allowed timeframe, then an hourly rate of $155 will apply. These costs plus travel and additional expenses will be discussed with the auditor and be passed onto the contractor/business directly.
  • Time to complete the audit will all come down to how well-managed the business/contractor’s records and systems are. Essentially, you can complete your internal audit and get everything in order before sending it to the auditor to review before they come on-site. 
  • If you log into the audit tool, it will step you through the audit process along with outlining terms and conditions. 

Additional information

  • For a business/contactor to be eligible for this, they first must be a member of the LTSC, which will enable them to register. 
  • Once registered they will then be able to access the attached audit tool, which will then enable the business/contractor to complete a self-audit and start preparation of evidence that will need to be provided to the auditor. Selection of the approved auditor can also be completed at this point, which then starts a direct communication line between the contractor and the auditor. 
  • Auditor guidelines have been developed to ensure there’s a transparent and collaborative approach to the audit process, which enables the contractor and auditor to work through most facets of the certification questionnaire before committing to the full audit. This process helps streamline the audit process saving both parties’ time and money.  

The audit is a five-star programme with stars issued for the following achievements:

  • 1 star: 1–34% The process has been started. There’s some documentation, but it’s limited.
  • 2 stars: 35–55% The process and/or documentation has been started and there’s some implementation.
  • 3 stars: 56–79% The process and/or documentation is more than 50% of the way to completion and some is being implemented.
  • 4 stars: 80–89% The process and/or documentation is complete and is fully implemented.
  • 5 stars: 90–100% The organisation can show that they are leading by going beyond industry best practice.

We would expect all participants to be aiming to achieve at least three stars. To attain four or five stars, you must obtain at least 50% for every section. To be certified, participants must attain four or five stars.

LTSC is pleased to confirm that 26 contractors registered for certification:

  • 1 star: 4
  • 2 stars: 0
  • 3 stars: 2
  • 4 stars: 14
  • 5 stars: 6

We acknowledge those operators that have achieved a one-star rating. This in itself is a great achievement and shows a true commitment from their business within the log transport sector.

We also congratulate Williams and Wilshier, Self-Loader Logging, Pacific Haulage, and Mark Pittar, who have now completed their second audit achieving a five-star rating.

The role of auditors is an important one and attention to consistency and process is especially significant, so we applaud Franz and Catherine from Safe on Site who have been proactive in the audit review process.

The website has been upgraded and if you go through to resources, it will link you to through to ‘More Info’. The executive committee is presently working through a programme to promote contractor certification at the Wood Transport and Logistics conference being held in Rotorua in May 2024.

More information on this will be supplied to members leading up to the event.

In 2019, the Log Transport Safety Council recognised a need to implement a certification programme for its members that set out to strive for continuous improvement in health and safety within their own businesses.

It would aim to give a clear picture of where the company was doing weak and where changes could be made to lift its game.

The audit is a five-star programme with stars issued for achievements from starting the process up to the top five-star acknowledgement for the organisation that can show that they are leading by going beyond industry best practices.

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