Progress Report 2007-2008 - Department of Environment and ...

cover all forest operations, i.e. includes planted forests and areas west of the divide that are not part of
any FAs. One of the cornerstones of the Forests NSW EMS is its four-tiered audit system.
All forestry operations are audited consistent with Forests NSW four-tier system, which is defined in
Circular 2003/01 Monitoring and Measuring Compliance of Operations. The four tiers comprise the
following:
Tier 1. (T1) Regular inspection, supervision, control and fortnightly reporting by field supervisors
recording those facets of the operation where compliance with specifications is achieved and
those facets where compliance is not achieved. In cases where compliance is not achieved, any
remedial action required is to be recorded and followed-up.
Tier 2. (T2) Regular checks and documentation by foresters and forest assistants, firstly to
confirm the field supervisors are implementing T1, and secondly to assess the supervisor’s
application of specifications. There is following up of non-compliances and remedial action as
required.
Tier 3. (T3) Audits by appropriately qualified Regional and Divisional (including Head Office
branches such as the Forest Practices Directorate) staff to confirm that T2 supervision, monitoring
and non compliance follow up is in place and that planning and operational systems are working
consistently and effectively. This includes checks on the application of Forests NSW systems,
specifications and standards.
Tier 4. (T4) Random audits of operations by the Management Audit and Review Branch that
assess both the implementation of systems and application of specifications or prescriptions.
Other matters assessed include standards of planning and compliance with regulatory approvals,
Codes of Practice, Australian Standards, and statutory requirements such as Occupational Health
and Safety Act 2000, Pesticides Act 1999 and OHS Amendment (Dangerous Goods) Act 2003.
The EMS monitors and assesses trends in non-conformances through the Non-Conformance
Improvement Request system (NCIR). The incidents are recorded throughout all tiers. NCIRs are
monitored at a regional and corporate level to ensure each issue is resolved and built into a continuous
improvement cycle, and that any emerging trends are addressed through appropriate means, such as
inclusion in the relevant environmental management program (EMP).
In addition to internal audits, external EMS/AFS requirements are audited every nine months.
Regulating authorities also carry out regular audits to check on compliance associated with the IFOA
as discussed in the next section of this milestone. During 2007–2008, Forests NSW was audited on
two occasions against the Australian Forestry Standard {AS 4708 (Int)–2003} and twice against the
environmental management system standard ISO 14001:2004. Regions audited against the Australian
Forestry Standard were within UNE and Southern/Eden planted forest branch regions, as were native
forest regions within LNE and Southern/Eden. The auditors also visited the corporate offices in
Cumberland State forest during each audit.
Non-compliance issues that are identified in audit processes are rectified as appropriate and
management systems improved to minimise future occurrences. Depending on the type of breaches,
and the frequency, contractors are disciplined. The penalty is based on the severity of the breach
ranging from warning letters, Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs), suspension to termination.
Contractors and operators are trained on all aspects of the operations to minimise compliance issues.
NSW FOREST AGREEMENTS AND INTEGRATED FORESTRY OPERATIONS APPROVALS 75