April 2016issue 2 / vol. 3

Industry NewsFatalities and InjuriesTransportationSAFE CompaniesFallingTrainingHealth & WellnessKid’s CornerThe Last Word

Welcome to the April edition of Forest

Safety News, covering news about safety

topics in forestry. This is YOUR safety

newsletter. We look forward to your input

and feedback! Email the editor at editor@

bcforestsafe.org or call 1-877-741-1060.

What’s Inside:Safety is Good BusinessFOREST

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Working on the issues that matterWestern Silvicultural Contractors’ Association 2016 conference

Whether it was the Silvicultural Advisory Committee (SAC), conference content or general networking conversations – emergency preparedness plans (ERP), musculoskeletal injuries (MSI)s, training, insect-born disease (e.g. Lyme Disease), harassment, alcohol and drug policies and procedures were steady safety, health and wellness related threads.

During his welcome comments, executive director of the WSCA and BC Forest Safety Council board member, John Betts, said that industry was learning to collaborate more on safety matters, with really important shared learnings coming out of a Participatory Action Research (PAR) safety project to the benefit of all participants. He mentioned the significant and welcome step of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations branches working toward SAFE certification as well.

In 2016, which will see the 258 millionth tree planted in BC, MSI costs to industry continue to climb. The conference explored what was driving rate increases and what could be done about them.

Kicking off the conference, WorkSafeBC’s Jeff Dolan, Director Investigations Services, discussed the role, responsibilities and processes involved in any investigation initiated by WorkSafeBC (WSBC). He said that in every case, findings were used to prevent the reoccurrence of similar incidents starting with awareness, followed by education,

consultation and enforcement. He said the police hand over the workplace incidents when they find no evidence of a crime, but he said sometimes it happens that police become involved again if WSBC discovers evidence of a crime.

As WSBC is the administrative authority for the Workers Compensation Act in BC, identified violation(s) of the Act and or regulation may lead to compliance orders to the employer or worker and an administrative penalty to the employer. Under prosecutorial rules, WSBC may also refer to the Crown for prosecution of individual(s) or organization(s) under the Act and refer to the police for a criminal investigation. When an investigation changes from causal/regulatory to prosecutorial/quasi-criminal and the relationship becomes adversarial, evidence must be collected in accordance with prosecutorial rules, including: Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; Workers Compensation Act; Case law (R. v. Jarvis, Supreme Court of Canada 2002); and the Criminal Code of Canada. Jeff said that any individual or organization under investigation is fully informed of the change in purpose; privacy is protected; and the prevention mandate is not compromised.

Investigations are assigned geographically. When WSBC arrives on site, they have the authority to seize and control the site and secure evidence. If there has been a death at work, police, BC Coroners Office and WSBC investigation officers will all attend. Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) are

also in place between WSBC, Coroner, the BC Safety Authority and police. As agencies they pass on or off jurisdictional authority as appropriate, with WSBC always participating to establish information that will help in preventing a similar incident in the future.

When WSBC attends a worksite for an investigation, “it’s ok to be cautious and to ask questions,” said Jeff. “We recognize that it is already a very stressful situation made more so when authorities show up,” he said.

While every employer and employee is compelled to share information with WSBC without warrants, WSBC cannot just hand over that same information to other parties. The regulatory/compliance WSBC team is separated from the prosecutorial team by physical, procedural, electronic and ethical controls, based on the structure and practices of the Ontario Securities Commission, which also has similar education/compliance/prosecutorial enforcement mandates.

The 2016 Western Silvicultural Contractors’ Association AGM and conference, held in Kelowna.

Jeff Dolan

He said the heart of the matter is the difference between a service delivery model versus a patient focus approach. Roger noted that some significant work was being done by various stakeholders but that it was important to break down the silos and look at how to achieve consistent and effective responses not just in pockets of the Province but everywhere where workers are in remote locations. He mentioned specific work that the Coast Harvesting Advisory Group (CHAG) has done in helping to build a collaborative model through partnerships on Vancouver Island; a hoisting pilot project in the BC interior; WSCA work being done on the land base; as well as MFLNRO wildfire response centre work, which he said had a marvelous system for tracking air resources across the entire province. He said his role as Ombudsman was not just to look at where gaps exist in the system but to support the work already being done.

Ultimately, the expectation is that when an air rescue or other transportation for an injured forestry worker is required, it will be there, recognizing the correlation between

the time taken to get to help and the quality and speed of recovery. “The faster you can get people to the help they need, the lower the health care cost at the back end and the better the outcome injured worker,” said Roger. “The cost of transportation should not be the deciding factor in the choice of transportation.”

He left everyone with a thought: “Today, north shore rescue – with its outstanding reputation for excellent rescue capabilities – will respond to a member of the public injured on the mountain, but if a worker is injured on the same mountain, it falls under a different agency.” He said we need to break down those types of silos and those types of practices so that workers across the entire Province know that when they need to make a call for assistance there is someone there to answer.

2 2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS

Industry News

BC Forest Safety Ombudsman, Roger Harris, provided the WSCA conference with an update on his review into emergency response at remote worksites. His final report on the topic is due to be published shortly and a link will be shared in a future edition of Forest Safety News.

Roger provided historical context on fatalities in industry since the early 1970s and said that while there were influencers like the fallers’ strike where it showed it was unsafe to pay for piece work, some of the progress in reduced fatalities was not that fewer people were being injured, but that fewer died because industry was more successful in moving injured workers out of the bush. “Disabilities went up, but lives were saved,” said Roger. He said the complexities of rescue versus transportation with an urban/rural split provided some important insights too. Someone with a broken leg that ends up in the back of transport for hours on bumpy roads, several transfer points, etc. can end up with a bigger issue than just a broken leg … compared with how many people walk off heli-vac rescues because of speed and

comfort of rescue that is not making an injury worse or delaying effective treatment.

A key challenge is dealing with complexities of mandates of different institutions, such as health authorities, search and rescue organizations, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Transport Canada and BC Ambulance Service, as well as the inconsistent approach and resources across the Province, and competing proprietary interests.

Other complexities include processes that don’t always work as intended, including dispatch protocols which may be insufficient and, where it is not a given that the most appropriate transportation technology gets to the right place – e.g. the right type of helicopter with the right hoisting/repelling capabilities and baskets, etc.

Work still needed to ensure effective Emergency Response Plans (ERP) on remote worksites

SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

Roger Harris

WorkSafeBC’s Lisa Houle (right) responds to questions from the floor.

Tree planting’s base rate over time.

“All of these challenges mean that things don’t always align to get people where they need to go, when they do.” – Roger Harris, Forest Safety Ombudsman.

WorkSafeBC’s forestry industry specialist, labour services, Lisa Houle, challenged Western Silvicultural Contractors’ Association conference attendees to cut their claims costs by 20%.

She said the first thing to keep in mind was “know your stats; understand what your injuries are costing”. She shared data which indicated that the average claim cost for a tree planting injury is around $8,500. Most injuries by far are under $2,000. Some are over $100,000. She asked delegates to consider a challenge: “Can you bring your claims costs down by 20% in 2016?”

Tree planting is currently in rate group HE, with its long term claim costs being 12% higher than the rate group and its most recent five years of claim costs being 30% higher. The opportunity to reduce is significant, improving the health and safety of workers, reducing bottomline costs and increasing productivity.

Challenge to silviculture operations: cut your claim costs by 20%

The goal is to leverage technology to achieve a reduction in the extraction time for critically injured workers requiring evacuation from remote locations and transportation to critical care. The focus is on the first three steps:

1. Emergency alert from field 4. Helicopter responds 2. Responders receive notification 5. Transport to care3. Response is initiated

Martin said that lone/remote worker solutions had potentially already solved part of the challenge with emergency alerting and emergency contact notifications. Map-based locations, text and email alerts to contact lists as well as SOS monitoring and notification to contact lists would allow for better coordination of resources too.

An emergency response coordinator role has been identified – could be a third party but a point where all critical emergency response information – ERP plans for area, all location maps; response resources and resource availability as well as situational awareness is all centrally located and automatically updated based on source updates and electronic tracking in real time.

“We are trying to match responders, equipment and capabilities to field needs in any ERP situation,” said Martin, “and this can best be achieved through a standard in information sharing of shared resources. Testing in field is the next step.

2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS 3

Martin Torn, Selkirk Systems, provided an update on the work he has been doing for the Falling Technical Advisory Committee (FTAC) on a forest industry injured worker emergency notification system.

SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

Martin Torn

Tom Yearwood of Denning Health Group’s memorable presentation included “Drug Testing 101” questions and answers:

Q: Is drug and alcohol testing legal?A: Yes. Must be done properly every step

of the way.

Q: What are the costs of rolling out a program?

A: Depends on the scope of the project.

Q: What are the costs of not rolling out a program?

A: Increased liability and inability to bid for companies which require it.

Tom said that testing was becoming an industry standard and the new reality was that in some businesses companies couldn’t bid on projects without complying, driven by the legal liability associated with safety.

Using real world examples of court cases, Tom explained the Bill C-45 penalties which for individuals included the maximum penalty for criminal negligence causing death = life imprisonment; the maximum penalty for criminal negligence causing bodily harm = 10 years’ imprisonment; and no limit on the amount of the fine for a corporation or organization.

Tom said that the elements for a successful drug and alcohol program included properly written policy which must reflect the law and make sense for your particular operating environment and culture. He noted that most companies that get into trouble do so, starting at this phase – e.g. inappropriate policy for the work/jobs/culture/operating environment. Other critical elements include supervisor training; employee information and awareness, as well as Employee & Family Assistance Programs.

“Drug and alcohol testing is here to stay and programs must be developed which meet your needs and the needs of your clients,” said Tom.

Drug and alcohol testing is here to stay

Tom Yearwood, a lawyer with Denning Health Group, took 2016 WSCA conference delegates through the facts and nuances of drug and alcohol testing in the workplace.

WorkSafeBC is seeking input and comments on:Mechanical falling (feedback required by middle of April, 2016)WorkSafeBC has posted a guideline on multiple cuts in mechanical falling. The guideline is currently posted as “preliminary issue”, which means that everyone still has an opportunity to provide feedback and express any concerns, or ask questions. Feedback will be accepted till the middle of April 2016.

Please see: http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/OHSRegulation/GuidelinePart26.asp#SectionNumber:G26.2-3

Feedback on the guideline should be sent to the Regulatory Practices Department at REGPRA@worksafebc.com.

To register for the conference, please visit: http://www.bcforestsafe.org/ISC2016

Remember, if you are a SAFE certified company and have an audit due, you may also participate in the mass audit submission opportunities in Vernon (see details in the SAFE Companies section, page 9).

Ken Blanshard Companies as an instructor in Leading Change. He has completed numerous continuing education programs on subjects such as accommodating workplace disabilities, situational leadership, labour law and building high-performing teams.

“I look forward to the opportunity to continue to build excellent working relationships with all forestry stakeholders and further strengthen the BCFSC’s services to support industry achieving excellent safety performance that is good for workers and for business,” said Rob.

The BCFSC board struck a search committee to manage the appointment process. More than 60 applications from suitably qualified candidates were received and the board was very pleased with the calibre of candidates.

“We greatly appreciate the number and quality of applications received and thank every applicant for their time and consideration, and for being part of a process that has allowed us to secure who we believe is the best candidate for the job,” said Ken.

4 2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

Industry News

Plans are well underway for the 2016 Interior Safety Conference (May 7, 2016) which is being held in partnership with the Interior Logging Association Conference (May 5-7, 2016) at the Vernon Atrium Hotel and Conference Center.

The conference will deliver the latest health and safety information to those working in the forest industry, with a goal to bring together participants in every phase of the forest industry from harvesting to wood products manufacturing.

Sessions will include: risk tolerance, building safety behaviours, effective supervision, road safety culture, and best practices on sharing safety information with employees and contractors. The conference will also provide practical information and tools for workers, supervisors, managers, and owner-operators, to help better understand and resolve safety challenges in the industry.

While the core funding to secure the meeting space and catering has already been provided by the BC Forest Safety Council and the Interior Logging Association, we do need the generous support of sponsors like you to be able to offer this industry-led conference, free of charge to participants.

Any contribution (in cash or kind) makes an impact. Without the generous support of companies and individuals in industry, the conference would not be possible. Please contact any one of the steering committee members to learn more. They include: Wayne Lintott, Interior Logging Association; Lisa Houle, WorkSafeBC; Mike Nash, Outdoor Safety Author; Tyson von den Steinen, Canfor; Genevieve Fox, Geoterra IRS Ltd.; Steven Mueller, Pinnacle Renewable Energy; Darren Beattie, Conifex; and Russel Robertson, Gerard Messier and Trish Kohorst, BC Forest Safety Council.

Rob Moonen is the new CEO of the BC forest sector’s health and safety association, effective March 16, 2016. Rob, who was previously the Director, SAFE Companies at the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC), is a health and safety champion, and highly regarded for his robust knowledge and familiarity with industry’s challenges in eliminating fatalities and serious injuries, both in harvesting and manufacturing.

“Rob’s knowledge, depth and breadth of industry and health and safety experience

are well-matched to industry’s need to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities,” said Ken Higginbotham, Chair of the BCFSC. Rob has taken over from Reynold Hert who retired last month.

“We extend our thanks to Reynold for his excellent stewardship as CEO over the past several years and wish him well in his retirement and future endeavours. The board looks forward to welcoming Rob to his new role as CEO and working with him over the coming years to secure improved safety performance in our industry, because we all know, every worker deserves to go home safe

at the end of each day,” said Ken.

Rob has more than 28 years of experience in the occupational health and safety (OH&S) field with a focus on forestry and wood products manufacturing in Canada. He joined the BCFSC six years ago as business manager and in 2011 took on the dual role as business manager and Director of SAFE Companies. He successfully managed the SAFE Companies program overhaul on behalf of industry in 2013-2014 and under his stewardship both sawmills and pellets joined the forest harvesting industry in choosing the BCFSC as their health and safety association in 2015.

As Director of SAFE Companies, Rob led the operation and ongoing development of the province wide program. SAFE Companies certifies forestry operations passing independent audits to demonstrate that they meet industry safety standards. He was also responsible for developing and leading council support services and systems. Prior to joining the BCFSC, Rob’s previous roles included Senior Advisor of Human Resources for Catalyst Paper; Supervisor of Health and Safety for Saanich School District; Program Coordinator for the Work Injury Reduction Program, Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta; and Health and Safety Specialist for Canada Packers. Rob holds a BCIT Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, is a Chartered Insurance Professional and certified by the

First Interior Safety Conference in Vernon in May 2016

New CEO at the BC Forest Safety Council

Outgoing CEO, Reynold Hert.

Rob Moonen, incoming CEO at the BCFSC.

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Steve Thomson, paid tribute to retiring BC Forest Safety Council CEO, Reynold Hert, during his dinner presentation at the WSCA 2016 conference. Reynold received a standing ovation for his significant contributions to industry and safety at the conference. Minister Thomson said Reynold had taught him “to never give a speech without including a safety message”.

Minister Thomson pays tribute to Hert

2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS 5SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

Fatalities and Injuries

On February 26, 2016, an equipment operator died in the Bonanza Lake area, near Port McNeill on Vancouver Island. A super snorkel was being moved on a lowbed when it came into contact with a power line. The worker was electrocuted when he approached and touched the lowbed, which provided the electricity a path to ground. (See safety alert: http://www.bcforestsafe.org/node/2767)

On January 31, 2016, a 23-year-old man died after the empty logging truck he and a co-worker were trying to repair ran over him on the Holy Cross Logging Road about 150 kilometres south of Fraser Lake. (See safety alert: http://www.bcforestsafe.org/node/2761)

On January 26, 2016, a 22-year-old log truck driver was fatally injured in an incident on Highway 5A between Princeton and Merritt. The unloaded logging truck went off the road, down a steep embankment and the cab was crushed. Road conditions were reported as being icy at the time of the incident. (See alert: http://www.bcforestsafe.org/node/2755)

We extend sincere condolences and sympathy to all the families and co-workers of the deceased workers. WorkSafeBC and the Coroners Service are investigating these incidents.

One fatality in manufacturing in 2016 year to date

On January 27th, a 62-year-old equipment operator was fatally injured when the bulldozer he was operating fell off the high end of a hog fuel pile at the Catalyst pulp and paper mill in Crofton. The bulldozer rolled over during the incident and the worker was found deceased at the scene. (See safety alert: http://www.bcforestsafe.org/node/2760)

We extend our sincere condolences to the family and co-workers of the deceased worker. WorkSafeBC and the Coroners Service are investigating this incident.

Explosion at MDF mill in Quesnel: no injuries

On March 9, 2016, all workers on shift escaped injury after an explosion/fire at an MDF mill in Quesnel. The cause of the incident is under investigation by both WorkSafeBC and the company.

Three fatalities in harvesting in 2016 year to date HARVESTING

Injury Type: Fractured ribs, mild concussion, bruisingCore Activity: Logging road construction or maintenance / Integrated forest managementLocation: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.Date of Incident: 2016-Feb

An articulating rock truck was backing up a resource road to dump a load of rock. The truck got too close to the edge of the low side of the road. It rolled over and down the bank, coming to rest against a tree. The worker, who sustained serious injuries, received first aid on site and was flown to hospital via helicopter.

Injury Type: Crush injuryCore Activity: Integrated forest managementLocation: Northern B.C.Date of Incident: 2016-Feb

The operator of a logging truck was attempting repairs underneath it when the truck rolled backwards and pinned him between the fuel tank and the ground. He was rescued about 1.5 hours later by a passerby who drove the truck forward to free the operator. The operator was then transported to medical care by ambulance.

Injury Type: Injuries to legCore Activity: Logging road construction or maintenanceLocation: Interior B.C.Date of Incident: 2016-Feb

As the operator of a skid-steer loader was entering the cab of the machine, his foot inadvertently engaged the foot pedal, which raised the boom. The worker’s other leg was lifted by the boom and caught between the cab and the bucket of the machine.

Injury Type: Broken legCore Activity: Integrated forest managementLocation: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.Date of Incident: 2016-Feb

A certified hand faller was bucking a felled tree. He was struck, pinned, and seriously injured when the cut was

Recent WorkSafeBC Incidents

Continued on page 6...

Please Note: *There are 4 fatalities the BC Forest Safety Council is aware of that occurred in 2014 and 8 fatalities that occurred in 2015. WorkSafeBC tracks fatalities by the year in which they accept the claim. The BCFSC uses the WorkSafeBC data of accepted claims for trends although it may not specifically indicate current year fatalities; it is the only long term data base for comparative purposes. This is preliminary information.

WSBC Accepted Harvesting Fatality Claims

35

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18

21

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19

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8

11 10 10*

2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2016

AVERAGE 21.6

AVERAGE 7.5

AVERAGE 13.7

8*

6 2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

While the timing for implementation is still to be confirmed, Canada has made the first move to implement new safety regulations that are aligned with United States efforts to tackle fatigue among truck and bus drivers, with the introduction of electronic log books. There is still ambiguity around whether this Canadian step will impact BC log truck drivers or if it will only impact drivers on cross-border (Provincial and Canada / US routes.) Mandatory paper logs were first introduced in the 1930s in Canada. The conversation around the use of electronic logbooks started about 10 years ago in Canada and some industries are frustrated it has taken this long to get to this point.

Whatever the final deadlines, things to plan for if you may be affected by the changes:

1. Budget now for the big ticket itemElectronic logging devices might be decreasing in price, but they are still a big ticket item especially if you are an independent log truck driver. The cost on average is a couple of thousand dollars, depending on the type of unit. Fleet implementation might come cheaper per unit (and we hear most if not all the major licensees have already done or plan to do bulk purchases to leverage potential savings for their hauling contractors). Depending on the system, there can be monthly fees, maintenance and service costs associated with the units.

2. Technical specifications are not created equalLook for easy to use, easy to update, longevity and performance especially on resource roads!

Remember that if you do cross border trips, the technical specifications and standards for electronic logging devices may differ between the U.S. and Canada and so don’t make that purchase until the requirements are clear.

3. Power of electronic trackingIf implemented, log truck drivers’ hours of service would automatically be recorded. Information gathered would include: engine hours, vehicle movement, kilometres driven and location information. Some haulers may want to add additional functionality.

Each year, we remember those that go to work and never return home. First responders will tell you that they have a theory: that if everyone got to experience a recovery operation from a workplace incident or be the police officer who has to ring a front door bell and tell family members that a loved one has died at work, we’d see far fewer workplace incidents.

In the weeks coming up to Canada’s national day of mourning on April 28, 2016, may each of us take that moment to not only remember our fallen colleagues but to also imagine being those first responders and those family members delivering or receiving the worst news possible. May each of us do whatever we must do, each and every day to be safe, and create safe places at work for ourselves, our colleagues and our industry.

For more information about local Day of Mourning events being planned in your area – or to list an event you plan on holding – please see: http://www.dayofmourning.bc.ca/.

To order WorkSafeBC’s posters and decals, please see: http://www.worksafebc.com/news_room/campaigns/day_of_mourning/decals.asp.

Day of Mourning: Thursday April 28, 2016

BC log truck drivers may be required to log hours electronically

completed and the logs separated. The faller was bucked out of the area by his falling partner, received emergency first aid on-site, and was then transported to hospital by helicopter.

Injury Type: Close callCore Activity: Mechanized tree fallingLocation: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.Date of Incident: 2016-Jan

A feller-buncher (a machine on tracks equipped with a head to fall trees) was operating in a section of a cutblock with slopes 40 to 60 percent. As the operator was trying to overcome a falling difficulty, the feller-buncher slipped and rolled over, coming to rest with the cab on the ground. Another worker helped the feller-buncher operator, who was not injured, to exit the cab.

Injury Type: Multiple fractures in upper bodyCore Activity: Manual tree falling and buckingLocation: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.Date of Incident: 2016-Jan

A certified faller was struck by a cedar log (25 inches in diameter, 84 feet long) that pivoted upslope when it was hit by a falling cedar tree (43 inches in diameter, 60 feet tall). The worker was initially transported to camp via ETV, then to hospital by helicopter.

MANUFACTURING

Injury Type: Crush injury to handCore Activity: SawmillLocation: Interior B.C.Date of Incident: 2016-Feb

A worker performing cleanup reached around an inadequately guarded chipper and placed his hand on a drive chain. The hand was pulled through an idler sprocket, resulting in crush injuries.

Injury Type: Close callCore Activity: Wood pellet millLocation: Interior B.C.Date of Incident: 2016-Feb

About 7.5 hours after maintenance work had been done on material handling equipment at a pellet mill, a worker found smoke coming from an inactive piece of equipment. The local fire department responded and extinguished a smoldering ember in some ductwork. No structural or equipment damage occurred and no injuries were reported.

Continued from page 5...

2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS 7SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

Transportation

Over the past year, there have been incidents where workers were inspecting or completing maintenance work on different types of forestry vehicles – one a logging truck – that resulted in the deaths of three people.

Lock out on the first incident and chocks on the other two would have saved three lives. Talk about this regularly at work meetings. If you supervise anyone driving a truck or machine for work; or to and from work, have the conversation, to remind everyone: Lock out and live. Chock it to lock it!

To help support industry reinforce this important message, the BC Forest Safety Council has developed a sticker, safety alert and poster for use in forestry maintenance shops, repair areas, equipment and trucks to remind all drivers not to commence any work or inspection of any vehicle without it being properly locked out and blocked/chocked. This is critical to ensure the vehicle is immobilized for the protection of workers.

In 2009, the BC Forest Safety Council issued a safety alert which indicated the following: There have been too many fatalities and serious injuries in the forest industry as a result of a failure to effectively immobilize equipment. Between 2006 and 2008 there were a total of 44 fatalities in harvesting. 20% of these fatalities occurred when the operator left the protection of the cab to make an adjustment or diagnose a mechanical problem. Six workers died as a result of vehicles or equipment rolling over them, and three were crushed as equipment moved while being worked on.

Fast forward to 2016. While we have come a long way in reducing fatalities over seven years, it is concerning to still see serious incidents in circumstances that should be low risk when safe work procedures are followed. By taking a few moments to immobilize equipment correctly, we can prevent these types of serious injuries and fatalities.

On rolling stock, when you get out of the cab, set the maxi or emergency brake. This is critically important when

your task requires you to be under the vehicle. When you are working or repairing the machine, use chocking blocks specifically designed to prevent movement; if blocks are not available, use alternates that will provide equivalent security to prevent the vehicle from moving.

On equipment, lower the attachments such as buckets, blades and processing heads to the ground. If that’s not possible, then you must use something that will prevent it from falling such as a log deck, a stump or a mound of dirt. Follow the lock out procedures for individual pieces of equipment and machine components every time.

Free stickers and posters are available to order in the resource section: http://www.bcforestsafe.org/node/2485 (order form is at the top of the page). In addition a tailgate/safety meeting handout is in development.

For related safety alerts, please see: young worker fatally injured under log truck: http://www.bcforestsafe.org/node/2761; worker fatally injured under service truck: http://www.bcforestsafe.org/node/2727; mechanic fatally injured while repairing a lowbed truck in the shop (second part of this alert): http://www.bcforestsafe.org/node/2683

The final report on the Lasqueti Daughters barge by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada was released in February 2016. The report covers the March 2015 incident where 17 people abandoned ship due to the vessel foundering (taking on water) in rough weather off Campbell River.

To view the full report, please see: http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/marine/2015/M15P0035/M15P0035.asp Media release: http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/communiques/marine/2016/m15p0035-20160201.asp; and the BC Forest Safety Council safety alert, issued in March 2016, after the release of the report is here: http://www.bcforestsafe.org/node/2768 which highlights:

• Boats used commercially to transport passengers are required to be registered with Transport Canada as well as inspected annually. It is up to the authorized representative of the company owning the vessel to contact Transport Canada to set up these inspections. The inspections involve the structural, firefighting, lifesaving, navigation, and communication components and procedures on the vessel. Crew qualifications are verified at the time of inspection and emergency drills are conducted.

• A supervisor hiring a contractor that requires a boat for water access should get documentation from the contractor that vessels being used have their certifications in place and the crew is current in their qualifications, and are prepared to handle emergencies.

Chock it to lock it

Barge foundering and abandonment report and alert

The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says in the US, its planned implementation will save about 26 lives and prevent 562 injuries each year, as well as save US$1 billion in administrative costs. Similar Canadian figures weren’t available at the time of going to print.

4. Providing defensible proof and evidenceThe units will also make it easier for drivers and compliance agencies to have defensible proof and evidence. The units alleviate the concern that handwritten forms might be altered.

Across Canada, about one-half of all Canadian commercial trucks have or are in the process of installing electronic devices.

For more details, please see The Canadian Press story that appeared in the Vancouver Sun newspaper here: http://www.vancouversun.com/cars/canada+require+truck+drivers+hours+electronically+years/11720211/story.html?_lsa=75e9-5b36

8 2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

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SAFE Companies

This year’s WorkSafeBC High Risk Strategy for Forestry builds on the prior two years’ activities, given that the strategy is part of a five-year plan, and focuses on four areas:

• Manual tree falling • Mechanized harvesting• Cable yarding operations and • Log transportation.

WorkSafeBC’s Tom Pawlowski, Manager Industry and Labour Services, and Bjarne Nielsen, Senior Regional Officer Prevention Field Services, made their presentation to the BC Forest Safety Council’s safety advisors recently. Three weeks earlier they had made a similar roll-out presentation to 90 WorkSafeBC field officers so that officers would have the tools they needed to go out and deliver consistent inspections. Bjarne and Forestry Industry Specialist, Carole Savage, have also worked on a field book for officers to help provide them with the tools and information they need.

Three WorkSafeBC departments provide input on the four high risk strategies, namely Prevention Field Services; Industry and Labour Services; and, Business Information and Analysis.

The objective of the 2016 strategy is to reduce the high serious injury and fatal injury rates in the top risk exposure categories in forest harvesting. In addition to the four key work activities above, inspections will also focus on ERPs as well as a continued seasonal focus on silviculture operations.

Injury Rate Trend

BC forestry Classification Units (CUs) continue to have more than double the rate of injuries of all BC industries as follows:

When one breaks out the key CUs that are specifically targeted in the high risk strategy (HRS) for forestry, the numbers look like this:

Calling WorkSafeBC’s 250 field prevention officers the thin orange line spread across the Province, Tom said it was important for all employers to recognize where their operations are most at risk and take appropriate actions. He said from WSBC’s point of view, penalty and warning letters are a last option. The objective is to see industry reach a higher level of compliance, not to try and catch a company not being compliant.

Primary Focus:• Cable or Hi-Lead Logging (703003)

• Ground Skidding, Horse Logging, or Log Loading (703006)

• Integrated Forest Management (703008)

• Log Processing (703011)

• Manual Tree Falling and Bucking (703013)

• Mechanized Tree Falling (703014)

• Helicopter Logging (703019)

• Log Hauling (732044)

Secondary Focus:(seasonal/geographic considerations):

• Brushing and Weeding or Tree Thinning or Spacing (703002)

• Forest Fire Fighting (703005)

• Tree Planting or Cone Picking (703016)

WorkSafeBC’s 2016 high risk strategy2016 Forestry High Risk Strategy2016 Plan targeted CU’s

* These 11 CU’s have the highest rates of Injury and serious injury within the Forest CU’s

Injury Rate Trend Forestry vs. All BC

Injury Rate Trend (HRS) 5 Pillars vs. All BC

2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS 9SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

Over 2,700 forestry inspections by WorkSafeBC in 2015

A total of 2,732 forestry inspections were carried out in 2015. Of these, 1,228 were in integrated forest management; 673 in manual tree falling and bucking; 508 in log hauling; 82 in ground skidding, horse logging, log load; 55 in mechanized tree falling; 48 in cable or hi-lead logging; 44 in log processing, 42 in tree planting or cone picking; 28 in helicopter logging; 21 in brushing, weeding, tree thinning, spacing; and 3 in forest fire fighting.

Over 1,300 prevention orders written, 31 warning letters sent and 14 penalties imposed on forestry companies by WorkSafeBC in 2015

A total of 1,375 prevention orders were written up by WorkSafeBC for forestry operations as follows in 2015: 665 for integrated forest management; 265 in log hauling; 241 in manual tree falling and bucking; 51 in ground skidding, horse logging, log load; 47 in cable or hi-lead logging; 41 in mechanized tree falling; 28 in log processing; 23 in tree planting or cone picking; 13 in

brushing, weeding, tree thinning, spacing; 1 in helicopter logging; and none in forest fire fighting.

A total of 31 warning letters were sent as follows: 17 in manual tree falling and bucking; 8 in integrated forest management; 4 in log hauling, 1 in brushing, weeding, tree thinning, spacing; 1 in cable or hi-lead logging; and none in the rest of the forestry CUs.

A total of 14 penalties were imposed as follows: 8 in integrated forest management; 3 in manual tree falling and bucking; 2 in log processing; 1 in log hauling; and none in the rest of the CUs.

Tom also said that WorkSafeBC was looking at including reviews of hearing protection given the recognition that many in forestry are at risk of early onset loss of hearing if proper protection is not implemented and enforced. There will also be additional scrutiny on prime contractors’ qualifications as well as licensees/land owners to ensure that regulations are not just enforced at the front line but all the way up the chain of command/safety responsibility.

SAFE Companies may submit their audits in person in:- Prince George on April 18, BC Forest Safety

Council office - Quesnel on April 19 & 20, Tower Inn Best

Western and - Williams Lake on April 21 & 22, Pioneer Centre.

A total of 126 SAFE Certified companies will be notified of the audit submission opportunities in Prince George, Quesnel and Williams Lake.

Reminder to all Vernon-area operations:As announced in the last edition of Forest Safety News, SAFE Companies may submit their audits at the ILA conference on May 5-7, at the Vernon Atrium Hotel and Conference Center.

Please contact audit administrator, Clare Craig at 1-877-741-1060 or email craig@bcforestsafe.org to set up an appointment at any of the mass submission venues. There is no charge for this service.

HARVESTING PHASE INJURY/AREA OF RISK INSPECTIONAL FOCUS

Manual tree falling - Control of tree (falling cuts) 1. Falling cuts - Risk assessment (e.g. windfall, danger tree, etc.) 2. Danger tree and windfall assessment & plans 3. Unnecessary brushing practices 4. New faller training locations

Mechanized harvesting - Maintenance work 1. Maintenance work plan & lockout - Getting off and on machinery 2. 3-point contact procedures - Equipment – loss of stability 3. Steep slope assessment plans - Congestion 4. Site planning & layout

Cable yarding operations - Struck by logs 1. Clearing the turn - Slips and falls 2. Yarding angles - Congestion 3. Landing the log 4. Site planning and layout

Log transporting - MVAs 1. Driving & road assessment - Loading & unloading activities 2. Loading, off-loading & securing of load - Maintenance work 3. Best practices for maintenance work (lock- - MSI shoulder injuries out, access & egress) - Proper use & installation of binders 4. Cab guards 5. Binder use & installation

Silvicuture - MVAs 1. ERP elements - Lack of ERP/practice 2. Planning & conducting operations - Lack of adequate MSI risk 3. Driver training/policies assessment / management program 4. MSI risk assessment/management/education

ALL PHASES AREAS OF UNMITIGATED HIGH RISK INSPECTIONAL FOCUS

Emergency Response Plan (ERP) - Lack of ERP or inadequate ERP/potential 1. First aid assessment for delayed medical treatment with 2. Lack of ERP practices and testing potential catastrophic consequences for the worker 3. Helicopter-only access requires daily plan

Integrated responsibilities - Areas of high risk violations 1. All levels of management are accountable - Site congestion and responsibilities reviewed - Planning/inadequate - Communication/inadequate - Management of change/failure to consider

Audit submission opportunities in Prince George, Quesnel and Williams Lake

10 2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

SAFE Companies

Talkin’ SAFE with Mike Sexton, senior safety advisor:

“What happens if I don’t submit a successful audit?”

“What happens if I don’t submit a successful audit?” is a question we get once in a while, but it’s one that should be asked more often because it is important for all companies to understand the process. Three things can happen with an audit submission: 80% or more = Success, 70% - 79% = Limited Scope Audit (LSA), and under 70% = Unsuccessful and returned.

Firstly, let’s review what happens to your audit when you submit it. You send your audit to the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) by mail, electronically, or in person. Upon receipt it then goes into the “first in, first out” lineup. Then it receives a Quality Assurance check. Once your audit gets into a reviewer’s hands, the information you have submitted (your audit) gets checked. If you make the 80% minimum standard (19 out of 24 for SEBASE/ISEBASE or 11/14 for IOO) your audit will be closed and you will receive your success letter with Corrective Action Log (CAL) sometime later in the mail.

If you didn’t make 80%, your audit goes into a Limited Scope Audit (LSA). This means the reviewer (a BCFSC Safety Advisor) would try and contact you by phone (call or message), email or fax depending on the contact details you have provided the BCFSC. The advisor would tell you what you are missing from your audit and you can submit all of the missing items, or what you need to get to the 80% mark. You have 40 days from the day we attempt to contact you to get to at least 80%. You will maintain the spot in the queue. This situation typically affects about 150 companies a year.

In the recent past, we have accepted all non-successful audits into the LSA process, when technically the required procedure is to send back audits to companies that fail to make a 70% threshold. Starting in February 2016, any audit that doesn’t make the 70% threshold will be returned as unsuccessful.

If it is not making 70% because you forgot to answer the survey questions or forgot to check the boxes that indicate Not Applicable questions, then we will attempt to contact you and get these dealt with over the phone and by email or fax if we have those contact details on file. We will wait for a response

until the close of business the following day at 17:00. If you respond within the deadline and supply the missing information, your audit will proceed.

However, if it is because not enough information was submitted, or you did not respond in time, then unfortunately, the audit will be returned as failed and you will lose your place in the review queue. Based on historical data this will affect about 50 companies each year.

What does this mean if it is a maintenance or recertification audit? If it is a maintenance audit or recertification audit and you submitted early, you still have time to get your audit resubmitted and hopefully it is successful. If it is a maintenance audit or recertification audit and you waited until the last days to submit it, then unfortunately you will be removed from the SAFE Companies list.

What does this mean if it is a certification audit?If it is a SAFE Certification audit, you don’t become SAFE Certified until you do submit a successful audit. If you don’t get 80%, but get at least 70% (17/24 SEBASE/ISEBASE or 10/14 for IOO) or more, your audit will go into an LSA, as normal. There are no limits on how many attempts a company can make in a year to submit a certification audit.

Prevention is betterThere are a few things we recommend to keep this from happening:

1. Keep your paperwork organized so it is easier to put it together come audit submission time. The bigger benefit to this is it should help your business be more organized as well.

2. Try to get your audit submitted a little earlier than the due date. This will keep you from possibly rushing and forgetting things you need to include.

3. Use us as much as you need for help and advice. If you have forgotten a lot of the information from your training, we can help you to remember, or at least tell you again. And, there is no additional charge for any of the support we offer to all SAFE Companies.

The bottom line is we don’t want anyone to fail their audit, but if you aren’t doing the required actions to pass the audit, you are likely not meeting WorkSafeBC regulations which could create a lot more serious problems than failing the audit.

Please ask us for help if you think you need it. Remember, the only poor questions are the ones that don’t get asked.

New safety advisor joins teamGraham Venechuk,

with 17 years of related experience, is the newest member of the SAFE Companies team, having joined in late February 2016. Graham comes from a long family history connected to the forestry industry. He grew up around the logging business and spent six years as a heavy equipment operator and logging truck driver in a stump to dump logging operation. He holds an Occupational Health and Safety Certificate from the University of New Brunswick and is also a seasoned safety professional having held safety roles for more than eight years, supporting operations with large fleets of heavy equipment in the forestry, construction, oil and gas, and mining sectors in BC and Alberta.

A big supporter of young worker mentorship programs, Graham looks forward to supporting all forestry companies in his new role and bringing a fresh perspective to the challenges of implementing safety systems and programs that are most meaningful to new young workers entering the industry.

Graham Venechuk

2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS 11SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

FallingFirst message from a BCFSC falling safety advisor:

We stand with you on safety

- Glenn Hestnes, Falling Safety Advisor

After temporarily suspending faller certifications due to concerns around inconsistencies with the faller field evaluation document and process, the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) is back certifying fallers using an improved document. The changes provide clarity and direction around the subjective statements that were in the previous BC Faller Training Standard Field Examination and Evaluation document, ensuring an improved consistency in results. The BCFSC successfully ran a pilot using the new evaluation document to certify fallers. Positive feedback was received from both the fallers and QSTs. Since closing the pilot last month, WorkSafeBC has given permission to the BCFSC to continue using the new document in certifications. Next steps will be for the Falling Standards Advisory Committee (FSAC) to consider and approve the revised document prior to WorkSafeBC reviewing and approving permanent use of it. Fallers who believe that they meet the criteria to be tested for certification, may contact the Training and Program Development Administrator, Bridgette McKamey, for more information at toll-free 1-877-741-1060 or email mckamey@bcforestsafe.org.

Hello all,

It’s quickly approaching two years that I’ve been working as a falling safety advisor. It’s been a great opportunity to meet and interact with some of you, and of course contribute to industry safety. As you may or may not know we provide a bunch of services that will bring us to your operations. These include:

• Confidential company review

• Falling supervisor certification preparation

• In field training to support certified fallers and falling supervisors

• Faller and supervisor visits

• Faller/blaster coaching and mentoring

• Incident investigation assistance

• Management coaching and mentoring

• Remedial/skills upgrade training

So please give us a call and let us know what we can do for you. As falling safety advisors, we are available to help support you. It’s important to me to let all of you know that if you’re standing up for safety, falling safety advisors will stand beside you.

It’s hard to hear a story of a tragedy that could have been prevented; if fallers trusted or thought to call us our voices and presence can be powerful tools to see that concerns are addressed. Working together we can help you navigate regulation and support you in doing it right. It’s great to see people rallying together to promote each other’s wellbeing because silence fixes nothing. Conversations educate and inform, and actions save lives. We are only a confidential phone call away.

Our roles are new to industry and as we see the need for change, we are evolving with ideas and programs to help – your input and voices are the key to getting and making it right. I hope to meet with more of you in the coming year, to talk and hear your concerns and hopefully help any way I can. Keep your hearts and minds in the game and your heads up! – Glenn Hestnes, one of three Falling Safety Advisors at the BC Forest Safety Council.

To reach Glenn, call or text 250-713-5209, or email ghestnes@bcforestsafe.org. To reach David Adshead, Falling Safety Advisor, call or text: 778-349-5084 or email dadshead@bcforestsafe.org; to reach Scott Rushton, Falling Safety Advisor, call or text 250-735-2850 or email srushton@bcforestsafe.org

(*The safety advisors will take turns writing about falling in future editions of Forest Safety News.)

Work continues on the implementation of recommendations contained in the Deloitte Report: www.bcforestsafe.org/files/rpt_ReviewOfFallerCertificationInTheBCForestry Sector.pdf

Recommendations included significant changes to the faller certification program in BC. Highlights of progress made since the last edition of Forest Safety News includes:

• Forestry, Oil & Gas and BC Wildfire Services, along with WorkSafeBC, have been working toward a unified approach to creating competency-based faller standards.

• Subject Matter Experts have completed the development of unit standards and work is underway on the development of assessment tools for falling standards and Qualified Supervisor Trainers (QSTs).

• Training materials will be updated to reflect a modularized program.

• Work is underway to develop stronger quality assurance processes.

• Field testing of the new standards and assessment tools will begin summer 2016.

• Stakeholder outreach is underway.

Anyone who would like to be involved, please contact Training & Standards Manager, Allison Thompson, toll-free 1-877-741-1060 or email thompson@bcforestsafe.org.

BCFSC is back certifying fallers

Faller Standards and Deloitte work continues

12 2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

Falling

A copy of the Falling Technical Advisory Committee (FTAC) faller survey summary report was mailed to approximately 2,400 certified fallers in good standing with the BC Forest Safety Council last month (March 2016). These were the same fallers who had received the questionnaire to complete in December 2015. A total of 429 fallers (by February 25, 2016), had completed the 57-question survey. This was an 18% return, which is considered good for a paper based mailed survey, given that 10% is a an average return rate.

FTAC had an initial review of the survey results at its March 4, 2016 meeting. Following discussion at that meeting, FTAC took a vote to distribute the 22-page summary report to fallers to ensure that the whole falling community had the opportunity to review the findings. These documents were mailed out to fallers by March 11, 2016.

The complete survey results and comments are contained in a 176-page report. A copy has been posted on the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) website: www.bcforestsafe.org/2016ftacsurvey. A summary report is also available on the website, along with a copy of the questionnaire, for reference. (The BCFSC provided administrative support for the survey at the request of FTAC.)

FTAC thanks all the fallers (and falling supervisors) for taking the time to complete the survey, and for sharing detailed comments and opinions. The information gathered from the completed questionnaires is being used to help FTAC identify the priority items for next year’s work plan, starting at a meeting on April 8, 2016.

Updates on FTAC’s workplan and other initiatives related to the survey findings will be shared broadly going forward including in future editions of Forest Safety News. If you have any questions or comments about the survey, please email FTAC@bcforestsafe.org.

A Coast Harvesting Advisory Group (CHAG) working group – the Roadside Debris Working Group – was formed in September, 2015 to research the issue and identify guidance for managing hazardous roadside debris. It has long been recognized that hazardous roadside debris such as unstable root wads, pushed over or damaged trees, excessive side-cast material, unstable rock, excessive processor debris, overblasting and even right-of-way wood stacked against trees to be felled can be hazardous to hand fallers and others.

An online survey was completed at the end of February by 120 industry folk – either directly involved in processes that create the roadside debris or having to deal with the roadside debris. Survey respondents included: planners/engineers, fallers, road builders, processor operators, loader operators, supervisors, managers, contractors, drivers, chasers, grader operators, driller/blasters and safety advisors.

The respondents worked primarily in second growth/ground based (69%); second growth/cable (62%); old growth/cable (39%) and old growth/ground based (36%); with more than 87% of respondents having 15 years or more of forestry experience.

There was 100% agreement from all respondents that under certain circumstances roadside debris (rock, sidecast material, processed material, decked wood, damaged timber) can create a significant risk for fallers and other workers who need to work on the low side of the road. 77% felt that it could be managed effectively to lessen the risks for fallers and other workers working on the low side of the road; and 21% said that sometimes it could be managed.

Roadside debris hazards that respondents have worked around were identified as follows:

• Pushed over/damaged trees 48%

• Excessive sidecast 47%

• Excessive processor debris 41%

• Shot rock in the setting 46%

• Poorly placed processed wood 36%

• Undermined trees (on the high side) 42%

• All of the above 62%.

Significant factors which lead to hazardous roadside debris were identified as: right-of-way width too narrow or too wide; full length timber; blasting practices; lack of worker awareness; inadequate supervision; and right-of-way log placement.

FTAC Faller Survey Summary Results Report mailed to fallers

Survey comments included: “It’s an issue.” “Can be deadly.” “Hand fallers most at risk.”

Roadside debris survey feedback to help shape recommendations for improved safety

The FTAC Faller Questionnaire summary results report was sent to all fallers last month. Some of the 2,400 reports prepped and ready for Canada Post pick up.

2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS 13SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

Ways to improve debris management that were identified by respondents included:

• Improved planning and time to schedule and manage phases

• Improved communication across phases. More discussion between bullbucker, road building supervisor, contract supervisor before work begins. Better communication of hazards across phases

• Awareness, training and understanding of the issue and how to avoid/reduce/manage

• Adding debris management to checklists and SWP

• Additional funds to cover end haul where necessary

• Buck all right of way wood and remove before fallers work the setting

• Recognize that moving the road centerline can create significant hazards.

Good approaches for managing anticipated roadside debris were identified by respondents as:

• Haul debris away to spoil site (52%)

• Place debris into a cleared area on the low side (47%)

• Place debris on low side of the road if it can be placed away from standing timber (40%)

• Leave high stumps or non-merch standing on low side to hold debris (29%)

• Fall wide right-of-way widths (25%)

• Fall narrow right-of-way widths (17%)

• All of the above (36%)

with one or more of the above approaches being appropriate, depending on each unique situation.

The working group is in the process of reviewing and interpreting the feedback received with the intent to draft recommendations for industry.

The Roadside Debris Working Group members are: Chad Campbell, Ryder Contracting; Don Cleaver, Island Timberlands; Steve Kerrone, Island Pacific Logging; Mike Lee, Interfor; Kevin McKamey, Pilldolla Creek Contracting; and Aaron Steen, TimberWest. They worked with facilitator/consultant, Pam Jorgenson, with administration support provided by the BC Forest Safety Council.

The 53rd New Falling Training (NFT) course was held on Quadra Island from February 4 to March 9, 2016. (From left, doing stretches before heading into the block:) Dan Dykens, Assistant Trainer; Devlin Hookham, Participant; Brian Texmo, Participant; Steve Telosky, Mentor/Instructor (obscured) and Harry Cole, Lead Trainer.

New Faller Trainingon Quadra Island

The BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) engaged Stefan, Fraser & Associates Inc., industrial psychologists and management consultants to create – with input from industry – a pre-screening process for candidates wishing to enter the New Faller Training Program. The pre-screening tool is intended to identify those candidates who are most likely to work productively and safely as a faller and to help identify those candidates who are not well-suited to the occupation. It is recognized that the pre-screening process is only one step in identifying a good candidate.

The creation of the pre-screening tool involved three-steps:

1. Industry fallers and falling supervisors participated in a one-day workshop to identify what attributes make for a professional faller.

2. About 50 fallers and falling supervisors participated, with fallers taking the testing battery, designed to measure a range of critical skills, aptitude, and traits. This information was then “validated” against the performance ratings of those fallers provided by their supervisors. This validation of the testing was a critical step as it confirmed that the testing accurately predicts performance, helping set standards that are customized to the industry.

3. From the results of steps 1 and 2 above, Stefan, Fraser & Associates Inc. was able to identify seven competencies critical for a professional faller to possess. As a final step in the process, the seven competencies were distributed to industry to rank the importance of these competencies. These competencies created the foundation of the pre-screening tool.

The pre-screening tool will be ready to launch this month (April). All potential candidates wanting to enter the New Faller Training Program will complete the pre-screening process online.

Pre-screening for New Faller Training

14 2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

The BC Forest Safety Council, in partnership with the Western Silvicultural Contractors’ Association, is pleased to offer training that covers the safe operation of light trucks on public roads and more specifically on resource roads in British Columbia.

The prime purpose of this course is to help the driver be fully responsible as a driver on resource roads:• Possessing the proper operational skills• Understanding the driving duties• Appreciating the situation and paying attention while driving resource roads.

This training addresses both physical skills and the human factors that affect performance. Content includes: • The characteristics of resource roads• Vehicle dynamics: an understanding of design elements and how they affect stability• Driver skill development.

The course runs for two days, with participants spending the majority of the course at a field site and behind the wheel. Group size is limited to six participants per trainer. Additional trainers can be added for groups of a larger number.The following is an overview of the course content:• Introduction to training• Principal design characteristics of light trucks• Vehicle load and carrying capacity• Pre-trip inspection• Tires and traction• Push-pull steering and braking, driving position• Resource road design, use, rules and practices• Behavioural aspects: estimating risk• Cognition• Operational skills

Participants or companies need to provide their own vehicles, ideally those that will be used in the workplace. If trailer towing is a regular part of the driver’s duties, contact the trainer and it may be possible to include trailer training in the regular course. The participant will have to provide a trailer if one is needed and must have their own vehicle insurance.

A certificate of participation will be issued upon successful completion of the training.

If your organization is interested in hosting a session, please contact the trainer directly: Alan Sidorov (Sidorov Advanced Driver Training) at phone: 604-905-0146 or email: info@spdt.ca.

If you would like to see how a training course can meet your organization’s needs, please let us know. We are committed to working with you to find the right training solution. We may be able to tailor a program to your specific needs and deliver it in a way that is most convenient for your operations.

Small Employer OHS and Small Employer OHS refresher course: April 14 KamloopsApril 14 NanaimoApril 14 Prince GeorgeApril 21 CranbrookApril 28 Williams Lake

Forest Supervisor Training:Module 1: Due Diligence Module 2: Communications Module 3. Leadership May 18 Campbell River (Module 1)May 19 Campbell River (Module 2)May 20 Campbell River (Module 3)May 25 Castlegar (Module 1)May 26 Castlegar (Module 2)May 27 Castlegar (Module 3)June 8 Kamloops (Module 1)June 9 Kamloops (Module 2)June 10 Kamloops (Module 3)

Individual Owner Operator (IOO) & IOO Refresher:April 10 TeleconferenceApril 30 TeleconferenceMay 28 Teleconference

Resource Road Light Truck Driver (RRD):To schedule a RRD training session, contact Alan Sidorov at 604-905-0146

Basic Incident Investigation:April 14 LangleyApril 29 Nanoose BayMay 26 NanaimoJune 2 Vernon

Advanced Incident Investigation:April 15 LangleyMay 27 NanaimoJune 3 Vernon

Falling Supervisor:May 30 VernonJune 6 Campbell River

Internal Auditor Theory BASE 4:June 6 VernonOct 10 Prince George

Internal Auditor Upgrade BASE 4:April 7 NanaimoJune 9 Vernon

Please see the full 2016 training calendar at bcforestsafe.org/fscapps/calendar/calendar.php. Check back often as course dates do change. Email training@bcforestsafe.org or call toll-free 1-877-741-1060 for more information.

Resource Road Light Truck Driver Training

Upcoming Training: Training

Health and Wellness

2016 APRIL FOREST SAFETY NEWS 15SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

Top tips formen’s healthBy Dr. Delia Roberts

According to studies in Canada and the United States, men are much more likely to put off doctor’s visits than women are. Whatever the reason that you or the men in your life put off your check-ups, the result tends to be that you don’t get the information that you need to stay healthy. So, let’s talk about why everyone should see a doctor regularly, and we’ll share our top tips for men’s health.

NO NEWS IS NOT GOOD NEWS“I feel fine! Why should I bother seeing a doctor?” Sound familiar? The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends annual physical exams, even for people with no symptoms. This is because high blood pressure (also known as hypertension), high cholesterol and diabetes start out with no symptoms. You may feel just fine, but that doesn’t mean nothing is going on underneath.

Why does that matter? Well, the leading cause of death worldwide is heart disease. It accounts for about half the deaths each year in men in the United States. We can’t always predict these deaths, but it is easy to check for the primary risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Without regular visits to your doctor to check for the signs of these conditions, you may be at risk for heart disease and not even know it. That risk

increases with age, heredity (the number of your relatives that have heart disease), your body weight, your stress level, and your intake of alcohol/cigarettes – the more of those factors you have, the more you need to be examined by your doctor.

HELP YOUR HEARTFortunately, seeing a doctor is not the only way to prevent heart disease. You’ve heard the recommendations made by Fit to Log about maintaining a healthy diet and being physically active – well, those two things will help to prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. They will also help to prevent other risk factors, such as obesity, from developing. Consider limiting your alcohol intake and finding a way to quit smoking – the more risk factors that you take off of the table, the more you help your heart (and your mind, as reducing your risk of heart disease will also greatly reduce your risk of a stroke)!

CATCH CANCERThe second most common cause of death for men is cancer, and the most common cancers are skin, prostate, lung and colorectal cancer. Have your doctor check any suspicious moles or spots on your skin, and if you’re over 50 years of age, consider asking about screening for prostate or colorectal cancer. In the meantime, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) suggests that always wearing a good sunscreen when you’re going to be out in the sun for more than a few minutes is the best protection against skin cancer.

KICK THE HABITThe best protection against lung cancer is to stop smoking. We’ve already mentioned that smoking is a risk factor for heart disease – it turns out that it’s also the primary risk factor for leading cause of death #4, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Consider talking to your doctor about quitting smoking, or checking out the resources at www.quitnow.ca. It may be the best health decision you’ll ever make.

Taking a step towards heath is important for yourself, your family, and your co-workers. If you feel good you’ll perform better at everything in your life, whether keeping your cool while dealing with your teenager, or making good decisions while at work. So check out the Fit to Log program, start making even a couple of good food choices each day, and look after your body. It’s the best piece of equipment you’ll ever have.

For more information on Fit to Log, please see (half way down the page for links to Fit to Log materials): http://www.bcforestsafe.org/node/2485

According to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation (www.heartandstroke.com), with stroke, every minute counts. Hesitate and stroke can take away the use of your hand, your ability to talk, your vision and even your memories. A full 66% of people who have a stroke don’t make it to the hospital to receive time-sensitive treatments. Recognizing the signs of stroke is the critical first step.

Be Aware: Stroke is a medical emergency

Images from the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation website (www.heartandstroke.com).

Thank you to six-year-old Levi Turnell and Grandma Joanne Riddell for sending in Levi’s artwork of his Grandpa, Ron Riddell, safely driving his log truck on Vancouver Island. What a great drawing Levi! Thanks for sharing. A loot bag is on its way to you.

I was asked to write down my thoughts on what I have seen and learned about improving safety in the forest industry since the industry took on the task in 2004 of making a real change in reducing fatalities and injuries. It comes down to just two things:

• If we want to make a change we can, and very quickly.• I am surprised at how many people still don’t understand

what safety is really all about.

Many people in the industry still believe that safety is about wearing the hardhat and vest, and a program that you do in addition to your business. They incorrectly believe that safety is a cost to meet regulations. The reality is very different. Eliminating injuries is about having your business well thought out and in control, which in turn leads to very few injuries. No-one would tell you that the most profitable way to run a business is to deliberately roll log trucks, have pickup trucks go into the ditch, have an operator unavailable because of a broken leg, or have a grapple yarder not operating due to tipping over. Yet we do these things hundreds of times a year. But, if we want to make the change, we can.

For example, in 2013 there were 108 reported log truck rollovers on forest resource roads and public highways. Many of the interior companies came together in an effort to reduce the rollovers, and within 24 months, in 2015, the rollovers decreased to 29. Looking at this from a practical point of view at $100,000 per rollover, the cost came down by $7.9 million just in 2015, the trucks delivered the loads, and the drivers were in good shape at the end of the day. It makes sense, it makes money, but it took leaders saying we need to improve driving skills, eliminate things that cause rollovers such as over-weights, and be willing to stop the haul in high risk lousy driving conditions.

There is an old saying: “How come we never have the time to do it right in the first place, but always have time to do it over again.” This is the simple key. If industry leaders believe that doing it right in the first place makes them money then people will: be fully trained to have all the required skills; assess risks that could upset the operation; use the right tools all the time to deliver the products; and end the day in great shape ready for the next day.

More and more industry leaders, whether they run a multi-national organization, a contract logging crew, are a supervisor in the crew, or the guy on the crew that everyone respects, understand this. Putting on a high-vis vest and hardhat may send a visible signal that you support safety, but the real result comes from being a well thought out professional who makes sure everyone is ready to do business in a reliable and predictable fashion.

You have to want to be the best, demand to be the best, recognize that injuries mean you are not the best since something went wrong, and work to be ready to reliably deliver without interruption. Your people will appreciate your high standards because you care about them as an important part of having a successful business. That’s all there really is to it.

Forest Safety News wishes Reynold a happy, safe and healthy retirement. Thank you for your service to industry – a true safety champion.

ABOUT Forest Safety NewsForest Safety News is published six times a year: February, April, June, August, October and December. All submissions – letters to the editor, safety tips, photos, safety stories, concerns etc. – are welcome. The opinions expressed in the newsletter are not necessarily those of the editor, staff or board of the BC Forest Safety Council. All decisions to publish materials rest with the editor. 12,000 copies of each edition are distributed via mail or email. Additional copies are distributed at industry events.

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Levi’s Grandpa safely driving his log truck

The Last Word by Reynold Hert

Kid’s CornerSend in your artwork

www.bcforestsafe.org

Children are welcome to send in their artwork for publication, showing safe work activities in forestry. Send them to: The editor, Forest Safety News, 420 Albert Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 2V7. Little loot bags are sent to all the artists who send in their artwork, and all their names are entered into an end-of-year draw for a chance to win a logging truck just in time for Christmas.

Remember who you are going to be safe for today and every day!