Written but not heard: A rapid review of first aid and emergency communication in New Zealand forestry

Abstract

Forestry is one of New Zealand's most hazardous industries, with fatality rates 20 times the national average and a disproportionate burden of harm experienced by Māori workers. Despite comprehensive regulatory requirements, serious injury rates have remained persistently high. This paradox suggests a gap between regulatory compliance and practical effectiveness. This rapid review investigates how the communication of first aid and emergency planning, rather than the mere presence of equipment or documented procedures, influences injury outcomes.

Approximately 300 records were screened, with 30 included in the final synthesis. A consistent compliance-effectiveness gap emerged. While forestry operations generally meet formal regulatory requirements, communication failures are repeatedly implicated in serious injuries and fatalities. Analysis of over 6,500 New Zealand forestry incidents found that approximately 70% were attributed to worker-related factors, with fatigue indicators present in 78% of cases. Research has similarly identified persistent miscommunication between contractors and forestry workers, with crews often failing to recognise or apply safety training. 

Applying a Chain of Survival framework adapted from emergency medicine highlights how forestry safety systems frequently fracture at the point of knowledge transfer. In remote forestry settings, where the first and often only responders are co-workers, the quality of communication that shapes their response capability is critical to survival. This review establishes communication as the central determinant of effective first aid and emergency response, providing a clear direction for future empirical research and practice-focused intervention.