Canadian OH&S News
July 6, 2009

Failure to completely identify hazards before performing tree falling operations in British Columbia was a major contributory cause in nearly all serious injuries and fatalities in the sector since 2000, says a newly released report.

This report sets out recommendations of the WorkSafeBC internal faller serious injury and fatalities task team (“the group”), which reviewed and analyzed reports of 32 serious injury and fatal incidents that occurred from 2000 to 2008.

This guideline provides information on industrial activities that are high or low risk, and on appropriate types and quantities of tools and fire suppression systems to be available during industrial activities. This is intended to apply to crews working within 300m of forest or grassland as required by the Wildfire Act and Regulation.

VICTORIA – The Western Silviculture Contractors’ Association (WSCA) will receive $500,000 for the delivery of four safety programs designed specifically for the silviculture industry, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell and Community Development Minister Kevin Krueger announced today.

POWELL RIVER – Radar guns will now be used to monitor and enforce safety on all provincial Forest Service Roads, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.