Our annual Interior and Vancouver Island Safety Conferences are industry‑driven events focussed on safety topics relevant to BC’s forestry sector and are free to attend.
Each conference is led by a steering committee that includes representatives from BCFSC, labour, industry and WorkSafeBC. Thanks to industry sponsorship, conference delegates are able to attend at no cost.
Attending our conferences may count toward a JOHS Committee member’s annual education leave entitlement under Section 41 of the Workers Compensation Act, or may be recognized as part of your organization’s safety training. Check with your HR department to confirm.
Vancouver Island Safety Conference
The 2026 Vancouver Island Safety Conference (VISC) is set for Saturday, October 17 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo, BC.
Event: Vancouver Island Safety ConferenceThis free, one-day event, made possible thanks to the generous support of our industry sponsors, is a must attend to anyone working in BC’s Forest industry—from silviculture and harvesting to wood products manufacturing.
This Year’s Theme: Built to Last – Stronger Teams, Strengthening Safety
Join us for a powerful day of learning and collaboration as we explore the human factors that shape safety in the workplace. Through real stories and expert insights, we’ll examine how leadership and personal accountability play a role in building safer, healthier work environments.
Keynote Speakers:
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Paul Krismer – Paul brings 25 years of experience as a former senior leader for Worker’s Compensation and a professional leadership consultant. In his presentation, he will provide insight on how to improve employee engagement, leadership effectiveness, resilience and workplace culture.
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Darcy Kulai – Darcy, a former mill worker, will recount his life-changing experience of being seriously injured on the green chain when he was only 20 years old and will address the importance of training and mentoring young workers in high-risk work environments.
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Mike Kay – Mike has 47 years of frontline emergency medical service experience as a former Advanced Care Paramedic and Flight Medic. Using his personal experience of extracting injured workers from remote site operations, Mike examines real world prehospital trauma care for injured workers, comparing current practices with evidence-based improvements that can save lives, before advanced care arrives.
What to Expect:
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Engaging Safety Presentations – Hear from speakers who bring safety to life through personal experience and professional insight.
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Networking Opportunities – Connect with peers, leaders and innovators across the industry.
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Practical Takeaways – Learn about the latest safety practices and tools that you can apply in your workplace.