B.C. LUMBER WORKER

December 6, i951

them personally.

ADAM BELL, Chéirman

guinity is a false protection.

F, P., ARCHIBALD, Secretary

Sanguinity

The word “sanguine” has a double meaning. One is “bloody’—the other
is “hopefully inclined”. The word is tragically appropriate in describing the
attitude of many workmen to safety and the results of this attitude.

The illustrations of a hundred logging fatalities, or the reports of thous-
ands of accidents to workmen in the lumbering industry, reveal the shocking
truth that, in most cases, someone did not know, or someone did/not realize
the certainty of cause and effect.

Knowledge of ‘safe practices, rules for safe equipment, and the need for
safe procedures, have been broadcast throughout the industry for years. Few
men can claim they do not know the safety rules.

It is very evident, though, that many have not seen the reasons behind the
tules and have not been convinced that rules are necessary or that they apply to

Too many are content to work in optimistic expectation and hope that
they will not be victims of accidents. They refuse the shield of knowledge and
ignore the guidance of the practical wisdom taught by experience. Their san-

Self-preservation is a personal responsibility that cannot be transferred,
shirked or evaded without dire consequences.

An informed mind is greater protection than wishful thinking

<Oe4

Workmen’s Compensation Board

Vancouver

CHRIS W.

E. V. ABLETT, Commissioner

PRITCHARD, Commissioner

SEARCH PARTY FINDS BODY

OF BUCKER KILLED UNSEEN

Fatal accident which caused the death of an [WA mem-

ber, Bro. Wally Ecklof, Local 1-71, employed as a bucker

in Justkatla Camp, Queen Charlotte | :
covered until four or five hours later, it was reported to;

nds, was not dis-

Loeal 1-71, IWA, by Camp Secretary William McMath.

Sympathy for the bereaved
widow and family was extended
by Local Union officials on behalf
of the victim’s fellow-workers
who came to her aid with the
sum of $253.50, secured by a col-
lection in camp.

Here is the story of the tra-
gedy as told by Bill McMath:

“On November 12, it was found

when the crew arrived in camp,
that a power-saw bucker, Wally
Ecklof was not in camp. The bull-
hucker went back to the woods
again, figuring that he had been
late getting to the road. The man
was not on the road, so the bull-
bueker came back to camp and
took out a search party of nine
men.

Dead When Found

The search party found the
hody at approximately 7:30 p.m.
He was dead when found. A
guard was posted on the scene
for the night, and the police and
the coroner were notified.

On the following morning, I
usked the chairman and secretary
of the Safety Committee if they
were going to’ have the commit-
tee investigate the accident. It
was decided that in view of the
fact that several experienced fall-
ers had viewed the scene of the
accident it would not he neces-
sary. I then stated it would be
necessary for a representative of

the Union to be at the inquest, |
and I was asked to take the job!

as I am a faller.

Investigation

Upon arrival of the police, |
picked a crew to carry the body
down after investigation. On ar-
rival on the scene, I investigated
the surroundings, the body, and
the equipment thoroughly, and fi-
gured out to the best of my abil-
ity how the deceased met his
death. The reason given for his
being left in the woods was that
on one or two occasions he had
taken a different route than his
partners, down the road,

On arriving at the road, the
head-faller had asked the _bull-

bucker if he had gone in. He re-

plied that he had had a report
that a bucker had gone in, On ar-
riving at camp he found out that
it was a bucker from another set,
who had been injured.”

At this point the Camp Secre-
tary explained in detail the scene
of the accident as he found it.
His conclusion was that the tree
which the deceased had been fall-
ing had hit a leaning snag, slid-
ing -down and breaking awa
from the stump to pin and crus!
the victim instantly. He then
stated:

. Jury’s Verdict

“The fallers were working at u
!

j@istance of approximately 700-
900 fe
| The reason given was that in or-
der to get finished quicker, the
fallers felled the bigger trees and
left the smaller ones for the

~ | bucker.

_ “The verdict of, the coroner's
jjury wus that the deceased met
death through accident, without
blame attached to anyone. The
rider was added recommending
that logging camps post notices
to the effect that workmen should
not leave the woods without noti-
jfying their fellow-workmen,”

The circumstances which sur-
rounded the fatal accident were
discussed between the Local Un-
ion officials and representatives
of the company to determine
ways und means of preventing
any recurrence of meh being left
behind when the crews boarded
the crummy.

THE LAW
ON SAFETY

Industrial Conciliation &
Arbitration Act. (Section
5 (3):

“No act or thing requir-
ed by the provisions of a
collective agreement for
the safety and health of
the employees shall be
deemed to be an activity
intended to restrict or li-
mit production.”

away from the deceased. g

La Te O RWOWBETTER