G B.C. LUMBER WORKER

[4 Tragic Reasons /-..

Official report that fourteen fatalities occurred in the B.C. eo industry dur-
ing last January and February, as compared to four i e period eo pre-
vious year, is tragic news. It is a matter of such grave concern ie the IWA m mber-
ship, that District and Local Union officials are probing for the causes behind such

a breach in the industry’s defence against accidental death for its worker
ver the causes, steps must be taken to eliminate them. Aediden ts are
ecosear: Let’s deal with these causes at the place where they can be dealt with most
effectively—on the job. The people best qualified to rid the industry of these haz-
ards are those who form ie joint committees on the job, and the workers repre-
sented.
jose speculation about these causes iis as futile as recriminations. Let’s look at
the ees and, as practical men, do whatever y to prevent thei

our readers to examine the skeleton statements previees in each of 11
fatalities “which occurred during the period under question. Give in your own way,
your own honest appraisal of the probable cause, and yas) might have been done
fo save a life, either by the victim or by his fellow-workm

ELEVEN FATALITIES — JAN., FEB. 7. While bent over, bucking a fallen tree, the top of
1. Large stump came down from overhang of bank of another tree being felled struck the victim across the
gravel pit, hit ee of shovel and yale of shovel gave \ back.
way, crushing of the man’s chest. 8. The victim was killed by a powder blas
2. While fie a eatae to Pe a log, the Sapling 9. Riding on a bulldozer, the victim pes on the track,
kicked back and struck the victim in the fac and was drawn in between the track and the hy-
3. His boat was found drifting with no one on oar draulie saddle..
4. While drying his hand in front of a fire, the victim|10. While loading a truck with a shovel, and swinging

was struck by a tree, when the airtong let loose. the log, the shovel upset, and pinned the victim un-
5. The victim fell to the bottom of the quarry pit. Safety dernea

line not attached. . Thev was standing out of the way of a tractor,
6. The victim was working i in a spar tree, when the pass which se winching logs out of bush, when a dry

line broke, causing him to fall eighty feet. snag broke off and struck him, fracturing his skull.

fey sa aca

RIVER CR

There are a surprising npy!
indicates that they feel that the

ntat
required to conform to certa} r

is obvious of course hit
ate are not based on a gk
of facts and circumstances, hu
typical of an immature minder

only condition iis le
and

The
indepen in thought an
from association wes:

complex the rules must be, tb)
the greatest number.

‘o be entitled to the adyyi

ct, fos
required conditions, including ;
vention of accidents.

A man disabled by inp
eting economic obligati tion
eae , places demails
facilities and, in general, is a

Zz

n has the right to @
and by dares behavioll 1
tress and waste which are the

Workmen's Com

,

ave been

hi
responsible for a ae of peas ae many near- yA yA LM Ve
fatalities. For this seasons a description wa two actual 4] A] OE (aM (7 = @eds

fatalities is here give y easily be
ans’ swore ed by workers at are familiar ici Baer opera-
tion:

moye the 3000-Ib.timber, and call

“Gr og
A 23-year-old truck driver WAS! san ambulance. The injured
Bacal

ig complete charge of the ieee Silents ey

Ae evidence given at

a Shgocy Tra Jie aces ts Oren UE “ase ne
of the binder aaiae holding ythe | Byes eee oe Bette
nce?” Was the truck

load.

1 th
ented oat fap ee rere the truck when load-
ence eareened to the ground,

pinning him and crushing him. didn’t need to take?
He Sere are fe ae ‘The coroner's jury recommend-
His compa!
ing on a cinen ‘ie ay the “oad ed and that a restraining device
called ii arning, but wi O}be used in all truck unloading
late, He h aera the victim oeretm, | operations.
but eer only in time to re- SEE PAGE 7