This section contains all news releases from the BC Forest Safety Council.
If you are not sure when the news release you are looking for was issued you can use our search function, located at the top of this page.
Nanaimo and Vancouver, April 5, 2018 – The CEO of the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC), Rob Moonen, and the President and CEO of FPInnovations, Stéphane Renou, are pleased to announce
Nanaimo, March 13, 2018 -- The Board of Directors of the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) is pleased to announce that Dave Lehane has been appointed Chair of the BCFSC, effective March 22, 2018. Dave takes over from Ken Higginbotham, who retired at the end of 2017.
NANAIMO, BC – The BC Forest Safety Council is pleased to announce the 2017 Safety Award Winners for lifetime achievement in safety.
Nanaimo, BC, September 8, 2016 – The following information is being provided as an update to industry on its current and past safety performance.
Nanaimo and Prince George, August 31, 2016 – Hunting season starts in September so it’s a good time for anyone who is going to be out in the woods this season to consid
NANAIMO, BC, June 13, 2016 - Cherie Whelan will be joining the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) as Director, SAFE Companies on June 27, 2016
NANAIMO – The BC Forest Safety Council’s board of directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Rob Moonen as the new CEO of the BC forest sector’s health and safety association, effective March 16, 2016.
From March 2-6, all employers and workers are asked to create awareness around road safety at work.
On average in BC each year, 23 workers die in work-related motor vehicle incidents and more than 1,200 are injured.
Distracted driving is a key factor. The BC Forest Safety Council co-sponsored this radio ad across the province to help spread the safety message.
Because on the road, the smartest phone is off!
The Chair and CEO of the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC), Reynold Hert, is pleased to announce that Holly Barker will be joining the BCFSC as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective March 16, 2015.
The Chair and CEO of the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC), Reynold Hert, is pleased to announce that Russel Robertson will be joining the BCFSC as Director, Programs and Training effective Friday, January 16, 2015.
NANAIMO, December 11, 2013 – The Chair and CEO of the BC Forest Safety Council, Reynold Hert, is pleased to announce that Dustin Meierhofer has joined the Council as Director, Transportation and Northern Safety.
Dustin leads and supports the development of injury prevention programs for Transportation activities relating to Forestry and provides oversight and support with other BC Forest Safety Council safety programs and initiatives in the Northern areas of the Province.
NANAIMO & PRINCE GEORGE, November 26, 2013 - Winter driving takes extra planning, precautions, and skill, and with winter already in full swing in many communities throughout the province, the BC Forest Safety Council would like to remind people to be prepared for the challenges posed by ice, snow and limited visibility.
The BCFSC provides the following tips for staying safe on the roads this winter:
Forest industry-led committees recommend significant changes to prequalification audit system known as “SAFE Companies” and “SAFE Certified”
The 2013 Vancouver Island Safety Conference (VISC) held earlier this month (October 5, 2013) attracted 413 attendees and 25 exhibitors. For a quick summary
Nanaimo, B.C. October 8, 2013 – In recognition of their outstanding contributions to furthering safety, two BC forestry leaders received awards from the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) this past weekend.
PRINCE GEORGE & NANAIMO, September 30, 2013 – The BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) is rolling out a new health and wellness program focused on increasing the physical activity levels and overall health of log truck drivers in BC.
NANAIMO & PRINCE GEORGE, September 4, 2013 – In celebration of Canada’s National Trucking Week, the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) is pleased to salute BC’s many log hauling professionals and acknowledge their continuing work to ensure the safety of all road users. Drive well and stay safe!
Tips for driving on resource roads:
January 25, 2013 - Owners/Operators - apply to become a member of the BC Forest Safety Council.
The British Columbia Forest Safety Council (the Council) was created by the forestry industry in September 2004 as a not-for-profit society dedicated to promoting forest safety. Through the efforts of industry, solid progress in reducing serious injuries and fatalities has been made.Our challenge is to build on the success of the last seven years.
Nanaimo, B.C. – A Port McNeill resident has received an award from the BC Forest Safety Council, in recognition of his notable contribution to forest industry safety within his employer’s operations in 2012.
Gerry Lambert was presented the Safety Most Valuable Player of the Year award at the Vancouver Island Safety Conference, October 20th in Nanaimo. The award was co-presented by David Anderson, President and CEO of WorkSafeBC and Reynold Hert, CEO of the Safety Council.
Nanaimo, B.C. – A resident of Sooke has received an award from the BC Forest Safety Council, in recognition of a long career in the forest industry that has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving safety awareness, expanding safety knowledge, developing safety skills at ground level and building a lasting culture of safety among BC’s forest workers.
William (Bill) Boardman was acknowledged with the Cary White Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Vancouver Island Safety Conference, October 20th in Nanaimo. The award was co-presented by David Anderson, President and CEO of WorkSafeBC and Reynold Hert, CEO of the Safety Council.
VANDERHOOF, BC— July 19, 2012 — BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) reps Rachel Derrick and Rick Walters met with Steve Nevidon from Canfor and Bob Geddes representing New Gold at 18.5km on the Kluskus Forest Service Road (junction with the Kenney Dam Rd) on Thursday July 19th to erect a Resource Road User Safety kiosk.
The WSCA in collaboration with the human factors team at WorkSafeBC and their associates from ‘Action Learning Systems’ in Boston, Massachusetts are conducting preliminary research into musculoskeletal injuries in the tree planting profession.
Please be advised that WorkSafeBC issued the first round of Certificate of Recognition (COR) incentive payments in mid-May to companies who met all the eligibility criteria for COR 2011.
Throughout the end of 2011 and early 2012, industry was calling for changes to the SAFE Companies Program. We listened. We believe those looking for changes will be pleased. Here are the highlights:
The BC Forest Safety Council is seeking input from industry as we start to develop a Prime Contractor Management resource package. The intent behind the package is to answer your questions about what your role and responsibilities are when accepting Prime Contractor status.
The British Columbia Forest Safety Council (the Council) was created by the forestry industry in September 2004 as a not-for-profit society dedicated to promoting forest safety. Through the efforts of industry, solid progress in reducing serious injuries and fatalities has been made (see attachment on this article). Our challenge is to build on the success of the last seven years.
Effective January 2012, the BC Forest Safety Council will be increasing the fees charged for all training courses we deliver. Since the Council was formed in 2005, course fees have remained relatively unchanged - with a few exceptions.
Nanaimo, B.C. – A Williams Lake logging company has received an award from the BC Forest Safety Council, in recognition of their notable contribution to forest industry safety within their operations in 2011.
Westline Harvesting Ltd. was presented the Safety M.V.P. of the Year award at the Vancouver Island Safety Conference, October 1st in Nanaimo. The award, co-presented to Westline Operations Manager David Whitwell by the Honourable Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Donna Wilson, vice-president of Industry Services and Sustainability, WorkSafeBC and Safety Council CEO Peter Lineen, was created to acknowledge safety improvements at work through persistent efforts to seek changes by a company that has demonstrated leadership in integrating health & safety into their business practices.
Nanaimo, B.C. – The co-founder of Duncan-based Alternative Forest Operations Ltd. (AFO) has received an award from the BC Forest Safety Council, in recognition of a long career in the forest industry that has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving safety awareness, expanding safety knowledge, developing safety skills at ground level and building a lasting culture of safety among BC’s forest workers.
NANAIMO– The BC Forest Safety Council’s board of directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Lineen as the new CEO of the forest sector’s health and safety association. Lineen, who was previously the Council’s COO, is passionate about health and safety and is acutely familiar with industry’s challenges in eliminating fatalities and serious injuries.
On July 21, 2010, a group of recreational boaters spotted a fire in a wooded area near Golden, BC. Because there was a camp fire ban in effect at the time, the boaters reported the fire to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO), who in turn dispatched personnel to investigate. When the government officials arrived at the Khaira campsite where the fire had been spotted, they were greeted by a crew of silviculture workers. Nearly all the workers were black males, and as new Canadians, spoke little or no English. One of the workers was visibly injured and bleeding from the head. All the workers expressed relief and gratitude to the officials for arriving at the camp, and some said that they “hadn’t eaten in two days.”
This is the fourth annual report of the BC Forest Safety Ombudsman.
Nanaimo, BC – (February 11, 2011) - A case involving what the provincial government called "unacceptable" treatment of 58 silvicultural workers will be examined by BC Forest Safety Ombudsman Roger Harris as part of a review of silviculture camp systems.
| Only 0 days left to get your audit in before the December 31, 2010 deadline. |  |
Please ensure all necessary documents are contained in your submission so there are no delays in your company receiving or maintaining SAFE Certification.
To maintain SAFE Certification and eligibility for a WorkSafeBC Certificate of Recognition (COR) rebate, your company must complete and submit an audit each year appropriate for the size of the company. Audits, support forms and tutorials can be found at our website http://bcforestsafe.org/SAFE_Companies_Updates.
Please be advised that the BC Forest Safety Council will be implementing the attached Guidelines for obtaining and maintaining SAFE Companies Certification effective January 1, 2011 for companies already registered and/or certified with SAFE Companies. For new companies registering after October 7, 2010, the Guidelines are effective immediately upon registration.
The 2010 Leadership in Safety awards were presented at the Vancouver Island Safety Conference on October 2 in Nanaimo, BC, recognizing this year’s safety leaders in British Columbia’s forest industry.
Numerous nominations were received from all regions of the province and ultimately the field was narrowed down to four very worthy recipients. As always, the nominations told compelling stories of safety leadership and dedication that made – and continues to make a difference. The Council wishes to thank Patrick Bell, Minister of Forests and Range and Jim McCaskill, WorkSafeBC Regional Director for Vancouver island for co-presenting the awards. Congratulations to all who were selected and nominated and thank you to those who sent in nominations over the course of 2010!
For the full story, click here
JOB TITLE: Falling Safety Advisor
REPORTS TO: Director, Safety Services
PURPOSE: To manage and provide oversight for all the Council’s falling programs, including development and implementation of programs, policies, training and quality assurance.
Specific Accountabilities Include:
JOB TITLE: Safety Audit Advisor
REPORTS TO: Director, Safety Services
PURPOSE: To support all aspects of the Certificate of Recognition (COR) and SAFE Companies Program with the goal of reducing injuries and fatalities in the workplace.
Specific Accountabilities Include:
JOB TITLE: Training and Program Development Advisor
REPORTS TO: Director, Safety Services
PURPOSE: To provide development, coordination and delivery of training and injury prevention programs that meet the needs of industry.
Specific Accountabilities include:
Training Component:
This year’s free conference addresses how woodlands and wood products manufacturing operations can improve their business success by reducing health and safety risks.
JOB TITLE: Program Coordinator – Prince George Office
REPORTS TO: Director, Transportation Safety
PURPOSE:Assist in the development and execution of the programs and services for two programs, and manage the Prince George Office.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILTIES:
JOB TITLE: Manager, Training and Program Development
REPORTS TO: Director, Safety Services
PURPOSE: To provide leadership and management for the development of injury prevention programs including the delivery and coordination of quality safety training.
Specific Accountabilities include:
Training Component:
JOB TITLE: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Coordinator
REPORTS TO: Business Manager
We’re heading out to a number of communities in our province as part of the revised audit roll-outs. After a short presentation, we will be available for questions and help with your audit questions. Here is the complete list of towns we'll be visiting:
Please let us know if you don't receive your info package. A Reply Contest Entry Form is included in the mailout and a copy is available here.
Click here for the audits. Everyone I have met in the industry, who has a forestry operation, whether it is large or small, wants their employees as well as themselves to go home without injury at the end of the day. They also want their business to be successful. Fortunately, both of these go hand in hand; improving the ability to go home safely can also improve a busin
Well, it’s been a busy few months but the 2009 Vancouver Island Safety Conference certificates have now been printed and are being mailed out next week. We have also finished sifting through the flipcharts and notebooks from all the workshops.
On July 29 and July 30, 2009, a Death Review Panel was convened in Nanaimo to
examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three tree fallers who died in
coastal logging operations in the early part of 2008.
Fifteen panel members were appointed under Section 49 of the Coroners Act. The panel
E-mail Submission of BASE audits
Effective immediately, external BASE auditors may submit their audit reports to the Council electronically by emailing to craig@bcforestsafe.org
Internal auditors are encouraged, but not required, to submit by email.
As your new SAFE Companies director, I want you to know that we’ve heard your feedback and, effective immediately December 21, 2009, we’re holding back the release of any new audit versions and assessing all other existing audits. The BASE 2.0 audit has been pulled from circulation and the upcoming release of the SEBASE 2.0 audit has been held back, pending a full review of all audits.
The Council has withdrawn the recently-introduced BASE Audit version 2, and we are also delaying the planned 2010 implementation of new SEBASE and IOO audit protocols. All of them are being reworked.
We encourage everyone to give us anonymous feedback on the audit process. Please take 15 minutes and complete the survey prior to January 15, 2010. Click here to go directly to the survey.
Steve Chaplin, Registered Forest Technologist, has been appointed Director of SAFE Companies, bringing a broad range of operational experience to this key Council position.
Steve’s career in the industry began 25 years ago in Mackenzie as a forest engineer before he moved to the Coast where he has been involved in heli-logging, cutblock layout, road design, contract supervision, timber cruising and some silviculture activities. For the past four years, he was an Environment, Health, and Safety Advisor with Western Forest Products.
Whether you are an IOO or SEBASE company, the absolute latest date to submit your maintenance audit in order to maintain SAFE certification and COR rebate eligibility is December 31,2009. Audits must be post marked or hand delivered to a Council office no later than December 31st, 2009.
B.C.’s forest product manufacturers (FPM) now have access to the SAFE Companies program, following an October decision by the Council’s Executive Committee.
The new policy is in line with WorkSafeBC’s “natural alignment” concept, which allows certification of employers that have no health and safety association, but operate in related sectors.
Vancouver, BC (November 3, 2009) – Kids from across the province were invited to draw a picture of what the forests in their communities mean to them. There were over 1,300 entries from every corner of the province – a huge increase from 2008’s 200 entries.
The winning entries included pictures of the children camping and hiking in the forest as well as homes for animals and healthy planets. There were 165 entries in the 4-5 age group; 523 entries in the 6-8 age group and 675 entries in the 9-12 age group. The winners include:
The BC Forest Safety Council is pleased to announce the release of BASE Audit Version 2. The new standard consists of two main components, 1) COR Health and Safety audit (Element A – H), and 2) IM/RTW audit (Element I). The new standard is designed to further improve worker safety and the overall productivity of your business operations. Companies with 20 or more employees now can be certified on both components and receive a total of 15% rebate from WorkSafeBC. A training program is being launched immediately to assist companies and auditors to meet the requirements of BASE Audit Version 2.
As part of a province-wide effort to improve safety on resources roads, the Western Silviculture Contractors' Association is leading a series of training sessions on operating light trucks.
South Peace Road Safety Commitee
History
In the last 10 years motor vehicles have claimed 68 lives in the forest and oil and gas industries of British Columbia. Resouce road fatalities accounted for 36 of these fatalities. The predominant contributing factors related to resource roads were road design and maintenance, speed, personal impairment and lack of radio communication. Failure to wear seat belts was noted in 58% of resource road fatalities. (Reference: Resource Road Demonstration Project Final Report July 2009)."
The BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) is pleased to announce that the Wood Products Manufacturing sector can now access WorkSafeBC (WSBC) Certificate of Recognition (COR) rebates through natural alignment. After gathering input from the Forest Products Manufacturing sector through outreach efforts and meetings held in throughout 2009 the BCFSC Board of Directors has approved moving forward. The Council is now accepting registrations from the Forest Products Manufacturing sector for SAFE Companies certification and thereby providing access to WSBC COR rebates without the requirement
Vancouver, B.C. – (October 5, 2009) – The BC Forest Safety Council and Ministry of Labour have recognized two forestry workers for advancing safe practices in BC’s forest industry.
This progress report by the BC Forest Safety Council is for the people in the forest industry and others interested in safety in British Columbia's working woods.
NANAIMO – The BC Forest Safety Council has recognized two of its associates for their outstanding commitment and dedication to advancing safety in BC’s forests.
Canada’s first safe certification program focusing on Individual Owner Operators (IOO) has just produced its inaugural 50 successful participants.
With a long weekend approaching, the BC Forest Safety Council and Ministry of Forests and Range are reminding all drivers to use extra caution on the roads. Minister Pat Bell says the reminder is important because lost lives and injuries on the roads can be prevented and road safety extends beyond the forest industry.
“As someone who knows what it’s like to drive a 40,000 kilogram truck of wood down the road, I can tell you that you need to be sharp to ensure that you, the load and everyone around you is safe,” says Bell.
The BC Forest Safety Council is urging extra caution on resource roads because of an overlap of silviculture activities and log harvesting activities. Due to a late spring start, tree planters are still very active in the forests and loggers are starting their summer hauling season. This has led to an increase of traffic on the roads and a greater potential for accidents to occur.
As a result of the first independent, comprehensive review of resource roads in BC, the province’s Forest Safety Ombudsman is calling for significant changes to enh
BC’s forest industry is stepping up its approach to ensuring all fallers are working safely on the job. The BC Forest Safety Council is launching a long-expected annual renewal fee system for the province’s 3,600 certified fallers, as well as piloting a re-evaluation system that will assess the skills of fallers and provide them with an opportunity to raise certification levels at least once every three years.
With frosty weather beginning to hit parts of the province, the BC Forest Safety Council is reminding all drivers to adopt safe winter driving practices.
MaryAnne Arcand, director of the Council’s Forestry TruckSafe and Northern Initiatives program, says a number of crashes over this past Thanksgiving weekend are attributed to changing weather conditions combined with drivers not taking extra precautions.
The forest sector’s commitment to improving its safety performance is beginning to pay off with significant reductions in injuries and costs.
“As one of BC’s most important industries, representing 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributing over $3 billion to the provincial economy, this safety improvement is a vital step in the right direction for the sector, its workers and the province,” says Lee Doney, co-chair of the BC Forest Safety Council and principal of RLD Strategies.
With private motorists responsible for 84 per cent of collisions with logging trucks, the BC Forest Safety Council is reminding drivers to use extra caution this summer. MaryAnne Arcand, director of the Council’s Forestry TruckSafe program says as people head to the roads for their summer vacations, all drivers need to be aware of the increased traffic and the need to drive safely.
There are more than 47,000 kilometres of public highways and 650,000 kilometres of resource roads in the province, Arcand explains, which means there are many opportunities for things to go wrong.
The second comprehensive review to be conducted by BC’s Forest Safety Ombudsman, Roger Harris, will examine resource roads and how to improve their function and safety for both people in the
In response to an industry-wide demand for standardized safety training for supervisors, the BC Forest Safety Council is launching the sector's first supervisor training program that will lead to certification of forest supervisors.
The first of two in a series of courses is the Basic Forest Supervisor course and is open to anyone who instructs, directs and manages forestry workers or anyone who aspires to be in a supervisory role.
The BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) has recently named four safety advocates as part of its SAFE Companies program. The industry certification program is a province-wide initiative to ensure every company meets and exceeds all safety requirements. With these appointments, the Council now has a total of six safety advocates across B.C. The first two advocates, Neil Campbell of Penticton and John Gooding of Williams Lake, were appointed earlier in the year.
The first BC forestry companies to become SAFE (Safety Accord Forestry Enterprise) Certified Companies were recognized today at the Truck Loggers Convention in Vancouver. Premier Gordon Campbell joined the BC Forest Safety Council and WorkSafeBC in acknowledging the 16 companies who have successfully completed comprehensive independent safety audits to achieve SAFE Certification under the SAFE Companies initiative launched at last year’s Truck Loggers Convention.
Safety performance in BC’s forest industry was markedly better in 2006 over the previous year with the lowest number of sector fatalities ever recorded, says the BC Forest Safety Council. There were 12 fatalities last year compared to 43 fatalities in 2005. There was no faller deaths in 2006 compared to seven the year before.
The most dramatic year-over-year improvement was in harvesting -- manual tree falling and mechanical harvesting. There were two fatalities in 2006 compared to 19 in 2005 with 32 serious injuries compared to 43 in 2005
