2nd Issue, October, 1961. WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER Vita igi __ _IWA Regional Safety Conference Delegates | by Regional 3rd Vice-President Jack MacKenzie, when he said that despite the progress made, the job had been only half done. Serious problems remained for organized attack by the Union. He referred to fatalities which had occurred among firefighters during the disastrous forest fires of the past season, and called for action to secure better protection under the Workmen’s Compensation regula- tions. In his opinion, many of the tragedies could have been averted by greater forethought. 100% Support Assured The Regional Council would con- tinue to give 100% support to efforts on the job to deal more effectively with new hazards, he stated. “It stands to the credit of the IWA that a substantial reduction has been made in the accident rate in the in- dustry.” We must pursue our task y with a sense of dedication,” he said. ; Recommendations Approved . The major recommendations which won the approval of the Re- , gional Convention: -.. called for the enforcement of af the safety regulations by the For- estry Department for crews fighting forest fires. A note of warning was sounded Conference Demands Improved WCB Rules IWA safety men were well represented at the Regional Safety Conference which preceded the IWA Annual Regional Conven- tion. Their recommendations which followed a broad discussion under the chairmanship of Gil Ingram, Local 1-85, gave evidence of the intention to adapt the Union’s Safety Program to meet new hazards, and changing conditions in the lumber industry. ... demanded the availability of a qualified first-aid attendant at all times for firefighting crews. - - - emphasized the necessity of regulations to govern the use of air- craft in forest fires. ... called for improved organiza- tion of firefighting crews to elimin- ate excessive hours and undue fatigue for members of such crews. . . » endorsed the principle that two men should be assigned to jobs known to have special hazards. .- . . urged the enforcement of regulations which require adequate radio or telephone communication to secure medical aid in the event of emergencies. + . . approved in principle the re- vision of sanitary regulations apply- ing to the lumber industry. . .. demanded that a member of the plant safety committee should be allowed to accompany Workmen’s Compensation Board officials on their inspection tours. . . . laid plans to secure additions to the safety regulations to provide for special hazards now presented by work procedures in plywood plants. - . . demanded revised safety regulations to require the full-time services of first-aid attendants for crews of fifty or more. His report stated in part: “The B.C. Loggers’ Association reports a 25% reduction in fatalities and a substantial reduction in fre- quency in the first half of 1961. Many of these association camps with former shocking bad records are foremost in progress and effort and prove, beyond any question or doubt, that a safety record can be achieved and maintained when it is for. Director Informs Union Accident Rate Declines Another year of progress in the Union’s continuing campaign to reduce the industry’s accident frequency rate was acclaimed by Regional Safety Director, John T. Atkinson, in his annual report to the Regional Safety Conference and‘ Convention. B.C.L.M.A. reports one fatality to date in sawmills, plywood and shingle, with frequency at the same low level as 1960. In the mills that have been visited to date a general improvement in housekeeping is evi- dent. Some perfect records of long periods of freedom from compen- sable injuries are reported in these local unions. Outstanding Achievement Of outstanding achievement is the record of Canada ote New Westminster Division. This plant is now operating in its fourth year accident free. In spite of these desirable results, some serious accidents have occurred that resulted in mutilation and am- putations. These did not happen in bad record mills, but in good ones with good programs and active saféty committees. Interior Progress New certifications, large new saw- mills equipped with modern equip- Aircratt Hazards Checked Proof that TWA safety men are alert to the new hazards presented by modernized methods for fighting forest fires is found in a resolution recommended by the Safety Con- ference and approved by the IWA Regional Convention. The resolution was prompted by tragedies which occurred during the operation of water bombers last summer. The Convention requested the Workmen’s Compensation Board to regulate the use of aircraft during forest fires as follows: (1) That proper signals be estab- lished between ground and aircraft. (2) That no drops be made until the go ahead is given by the ground crew. (3) That drop of bombing area to be cleared of men before aircraft is given the go ahead to make a drop. (4) That organization, preparation, planning and education with regard to water bombing be transmitted to all operations in the region. ment, automation and new tech- niques of lumber manufacture are bringing new problems in industrial safety to the interior. Organization and expansion of union effort in the promotion of safety is reflected in the vast improvement in safer work- ing conditions and safety standards east of the Cascades. Many opera- tions both sawmill and logging, com- pare very favorably with the best on the Coast. “The appointment of a safety director for the Southern Interior has sparked a drive of employer in- terest that is starting to produce re- sults. Educating management and supervisors in safety is a prime requisite in the promotion of any safety program. Aggressive action by the Union in Prince George to activate and awaken the N.I.L.A. with regard to its obligations and responsibilities in safety has accomplished its objec- tive. This failing of employer asso- ciations is not uncommon, and action by the Union to prevent this form of industrial hitch-hiking is not only necessary but mandatory .. .” Campaign Never Ends It has been said that the work of safety will never end, Safety pro- grams will continue to be plagued with disappointments and discour- agement. There will be neither recognition nor material gain. But those Safety Committee men, Local Safety Directors and Union Officials who work so hard in trying to make the camps and mills in B.C. safer and better places to work, can take deep satisfaction in the progress that has been made.” Safety Briefs Illinois radio listeners are being warned to watch out for the “Go to Heaven Two-Step.” A current radio safety spot announcement describes the dance as “dangerously simple. All you do is take one normal stride forward from a curbstone without looking either to right or to left. Then take another stride forward. And, there you are. . .” Were They Midgets? A Michigan State Highway Department traffic division employee is con- vinced that the new compact cars are equipped with elastic sides. He says he counted 13 people in a compact car during a recent traffic survey on M-60 near Cassopolis. MXMO TO ALL XMPLOYXXS Xvxn though my typxwritxr is an old modxl, it works quitx wxil xxexpt for onx of thx kxys. I wishxd - many timxs that it workxd pxrfxctly. It is trux that thxrx arx forty-six kxys that function wxll xnough, but just onx kxy not working makxs thx diffxrxnex. Somxtimxs it sxxms to mx that our safxty program is somxwhat likx my typxwritxr — not all thx kxy pxoplx arx working propxrly. You may say to your- sxlf, “Wxll, | am only onx pxrson. | won’t makx or brxak a program.” But it doxs makx a diffxrxnex bxcausx a safxty program, to bx xffxctivx, nxxds actiyx participation of xvxry xmployxx. So thx nxxt timx you think you arx only onx pxrson and that your xfforts arx not nxxdxd, rxmxmbxr my typxwritxr and say to yoursxlf, “Il am a kxy pxrson in our safxty program and I| am nxxdxd vxry much.” Reprinted in the interest of Safety by the Workmen's Compensation Board. COURTESY — Safety Letter, American Hospital Asociation. WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION BOARD OF BRITISH COLUMBIA