Between 1989-1998 there were 252 logging deaths investigated by the
WCB of B.C., double that of the next most hazardous industry — trucking.

Three-quarters responded that they never “take shortcuts” on safety while
nearly Go per cent believe that other fellow workers do. Survey results reveal that
regular inspections, written instructions, Job Safety Breakdowns, workplace haz-
ardous instructions, emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures are
generally present but need improvement. Over one-third said they have never
received formal training. The report notes that descriptions on formal training,
whether workers are adequately prepared for the task at hand, and whether or not
the respondants believe that formal training programs can be improved, indicate
that many workers are not receiving the formal training necessary but are rather
given training by paperwork only.

RESEARCHING PRIOR SAFETY INITIATIVES

The task force report notes that major, key initiatives have had a positive impact
in years past and some will have impact in the future.

They include the FallSafé Program put together by the WCB prevention divi-
sion and other participants. There is also the B.C. Faller and Bucker Training
Standard which will set the training and certification standards for the industry
in the future and the Interior Logging Health and Safety Agency, which now has
changed its name to the B.C. Logging Health and Safety Agency. It has now invit-
ed participation from the IWA on its board.

To come up with its 29 recommendations, the Task Force extensively looked
at WCB stats, accident reports and investigations produced during the 1980s and
1990s. It also analyzed a report produced by then Loggers’ Local 1-71 on
Individual Accident Investigations between 1972-1997 and individual accident
inyestigation reports produced by Coastal IWA locals during the last five years.

Also examined were available coroners reports on fatal injuires and a study from
the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

report

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

The union's Task Force report makes 29 solid recommen-
dations for action to be taken by the union, the WCB and
the industry/employer.

It notes that change can happen in the B.C. forest indus-

represents forest industry workers.

e Continue to reject discipline in OH&S matters and for
the occurences of accidents or injuries.

The report notes that similar accidents keep reoccuring across large, integrat-
ed companies, small companies and contractor operations.

IWA SAFETY COUNCIL PUSHING FOR ASSOCIATION

The union is squarely behind the formation of a Forest Industry Occupational
Health and Safety Association which would be governed by stakeholders. The
report clearly states the union’s position - that “there is a need for coordination
of safety activities to set standards, develop training and education and commu-
nicate to the industry. Stakeholders need to set priorities, develop programs,
measure outcomes and take ownership and responsibility.”

“We are following up on a resolution passed at our national convention, even
before the Task Force was formed, to get discussions going to form a safety asso-
ciation,” says Brother Les Veale. “This Task Force report helps us justify the call
for the association and to get things moving at the bureaucratic level.”

Industry safety programs already exist in such jurisdictions as Ontario and
Alberta. The Ontario Forestry Safe Workplace Assocication is just one of 14 such
sector-based associations in that province.

Something is going right. In 1997 the Ontario logging industry reported no
fatalities. Its services include safety audits, training courses in Accident
Investigation, OH&S Acts and Regulations, lockout procedures, safety training
for saw, veneer and plywood mills, chainsaw training, OH&S committee train-
ing, instruction on transporting dangerous substances, etc.

“Tt has already been done elsewhere and it can done in B.C.,” says Brother
Menard. “All it takes is a lot of political will and hard work to make it happen.”
The report notes that there are “ample funds in the WCB surplus to fund the

initiative. (The) IWA, industry and the WCB need to get this process moving
along.”

For more information on what the IWA is doing to push for a forest industry
safety association see page seventeen.

try for several good reasons.

Most of all, the IWA is a strong organization in the indus-
try which can push for change. Most employers operate
through industry associations which can work togehter
and there is a desire for all sides to work together.

On top of the that, the WCB itself is mandated to bring
stakeholders together to address prevention issues.
The financial costs of the carnage in the woods is enour-
mous, in addition to the human costs. Larger forest com-
panies especially have the time and money to sink into
OH&S. “We call upon the stakeholders to implement
these recommendations without delay. We all have a
moral obligation to prevent this horrible carnage to the
workers in the logging industry,” states the report.

5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE UNION

e Ensure that there are proper resources available to
meet the needs of the membership in OH&S representa-
tion, education and advocacy of operating.

Ensure the “basics” are in place in all workplaces, inclu-
ing the presence of effective committee members or
reps, education and training, the establishment of an
effective certification system for logging jobs and formal
training for all jobs.

Communicate effectively with the membership on
‘OH®S issues and services.

e Increase public awareness on the consequences of
occupational injuries and illnesses to workers in the
Industry and logging in particular.

ran OH®S agency for the B.C. forest industry
sented by the IWA in all sectors that it

= RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE WCB
© Proceed with Faller and Bucker certification systems.

© Expand certification to other occupations in logging.

© Continue the FallSafe program and expand to other log-
ging occupations.

© Diligently enforce the OH&S regulations and ensure
adequate resources to carry-out inspection and enforce-
mement in forestry operations.

Support a fully representative OH&S agency in the B.C.
Forest Industry.

¢ Investigate and prosecute employers for discouraging,
impeding or dissuading workers from reporting occupa-
tional injuries and illnesses.

Ensure that detailed and timely information on injuries,
fatalities and diseases are distributed to stakeholders.

© Not permit alternative harvesting methods that would
result in an increased risk to workers.

== RECOMMENDATIONS TO INDUSTRY/EMPLOYERS

Participate in a representative OH&S agency in the B.C.
Forest Industry.

Reject discipline in OHES and for reporting accidents,
injuries and illnesses.

» Provide safety management systems that include for-
mal OH&S training for all workers.

© When a fatality occurs in the industry, there should be
a one day production halt to examine how that fatality
occured and how individual workplaces may improve
health and safety.

= Logging operations in British Columbia are
among the most dangerous places to be
employed in the Canadian economy.

= The union says there must be training
certification programs for fallers, buckers and
other logging occupations.

DECEMBER 2002 THE ALLIED WORKER T 11