Truck and Harvesting Advisory Group (TAG)

The Trucking Advisory Group (TAG) and the Coast Harvesting Advisory Group (CHAG) were formed in 2013 and 2012 respectively, bringing industry representatives together to support much needed improvements in log hauling and harvesting safety. Members included representatives from BC's major forest licensees, contractor associations, labour, BCTS and the BC Forest Safety Council. Members recognized the level of serious injuries and fatalities within the forest sector, although improving, were still higher than acceptable. Between 2012 and 2026 these two groups primarily focused on Interior and Coastal forest operations independently. It was collectively decided in the spring of 2026 that a collaborative approach reflecting a comprehensive provincial scope was warranted. 

To support further improvements in safety, TAG and CHAG have developed numerous resources which include industry best practices, operational objectives, incident data, videos, posters, technical reports and safe work procedures. To create better awareness, direct engagement with forest industry workers, contractors and regulatory agencies has also been an area of focus. 

As a result of its ongoing work, the group(s) now known collectively as TAG has seen great success in reducing safety incidents within log hauling and harvesting, with both areas seeing historically low injury rates over consecutive years. Despite these successes, TAG recognizes continuous effort is critical in further improving Industry safety performance. 

The TAG structure consists of both a task team and steering team. The task team works directly on determining safety issues and trends that need to be addressed within the log hauling sector, formulates specific objectives to address identified concerns and defines a set of actions to achieve the objective. The task team reports to the steering team for verification of the objective(s), and action plan(s). The steering team is tasked with providing direction to the task team and aiding in key recommendations and initiatives being implemented within the industry. The BCFSC supplies facilitation and ongoing support to the TAG.

TAG has initiated the following actions:

  • Development of a data acquisition and analysis strategy aimed at improving our understanding of safety issues and trends within the industry as a whole.
  • Investigation and development of training programs for log truck drivers, log loaderman and supervisors in managing for and reducing rollovers.
  • Development and implementation of overweight management programs.
  • Development of best practices for and expand the use of log truck telematics to monitor and improve driver performance/human factors and improve cycle time accuracy.
  • Development of seat belt use objective for consistent application across TAG operations and raise awareness regarding the importance of seat belt use.
  • Participate in the development of log truck driver training and mentorship programs and options.
  • Development and Implementation of speed management activities across TAG operations.
  • Work with provincial regulatory agencies such as CVSE and WSBC to improve log hauling safety through careful review of regulatory requirements and associated guidelines.
  • Investigate levels of fatigue within log hauling sector, determine contributing factors and actions to address.
  • Development of a communications strategy and related communications that inform stakeholders of industry’s safety initiatives and its ongoing commitment to continuously improve safety performance.

Steering Team

  • Mark Cookson, West Fraser Mills
  • Cory Yurkowski, Gorman Group of Companies
  • Larry Price, Interfor
  • Marty Hiemstra, Mercer Forestry Services Ltd.
  • Greg Munden, Munden Ventures
  • Todd Chamberlain, Interior Logging Association
  • Andrew McLellan, Conifex
  • TBD, BC Timber Sales
  • Bruce McLean, Sinclar Group
  • John Rowe, Canfor
  • Mike Reagon, Mosaic Forest Management
  • Jerry Mooney, Tolko

Task Team

  • Vern Woods, Vern's Ventures
  • Jerry Mooney, Tolko
  • John Rowe, Canfor
  • Ryan Weltz, Interfor
  • Tyler Barrett, Gorman Group of Companies
  • Marty Hiemstra, Mercer Forestry Services Ltd.
  • TBD, Conifex
  • Ron Volansky, R&A Logging
  • Mike Reagon, Mosaic Forest Management
  • Mark Cookson, West Fraser Mills
  • Trish Kohorst, Strategic Natural Resource Group
  • Adam Wells, Sinclar Group
  • Ann-Marie Baron, Lemare Group
  • Jason Cox, United Steelworkers
  • Derek Nelson, Western Forest Products
  • Mike Reagon, Mosaic Forest Management
  • Mike Davidson, FTAC representative
  • Matt Enns, Meraki Resources

BCFSC Staff Support

  • Dustin Meierhofer, Director, Transportation & Northern Safety
  • Dorian Dereshkevich, Manager, Transportation & Northern Safety

Email us to learn more about TAG