Ensuring safe road access to forestry worksites after primary harvesting activities are complete can be challenging. In addition to worker safety, license holders are required to balance first nations traditional use interests, statutory (FRPA) and regulatory (FPPR) requirements, professional obligations, and environmental protection. If strategies to manage these items are not adequately planned and implemented the result is often increased exposure to hazards and risks for silviculture workers. In response, the BC SAFE Forestry Program and BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) have established an Access Management Working Group (AMWG) consisting of a dedicated volunteer group of forest industry professionals and subject matter experts (SMEs). The focus of the working group is to develop guidelines and procedures that provide tools for industry to implement when completing road deactivation activities. These tools will provide guidance on technical specifications to help ensure worker safety is a primary consideration when proponents prepare access management plans while also ensuring that legal and environmental objectives are achieved.
Key Documents
Membership
- John Betts, Western Forestry Contractors Association
- Jordan Tesluk, BC SAFE Forestry Advocate
- Kaitlin Conroy, Gorman Group of Companies
- Ben Pellett, BC Ministry of Forests – Engineering Branch
- Allan Bradley, FPInnovations
- Cody Sundlie, Canfor
- Mark Seilis, Cariboo Carbon Solutions
- Dorian Dereshkevich, Manager Transportation & Northern Safety, BCFSC Staff Support
- TBD, WorkSafeBC
- TBD, BC Timber Sales
- TBD, Coast Harvesting Advisory Group (CHAG)
Email us for more information about AMWG.