GIWA Though we may appropri- ately salute the record of ac- cident prevention accomplish- ments, it is more important that we concentrate on what is yet to be done. Our swift- ly moving technological so- ciety continues to complicate the problem of human sur- vival, Each year many thousands of men, women and children lose their lives from accidents. Almost one half of this huge total are workers — workers injured on and off the job from accidents total many hundreds of thousands an- nually. The pain and suffer- ing of these’ thousands of workers cannot be evaluated. AMBITION A worker’s ambition to own his own home, provide ad- vantages for his children, in- dulge in pleasures and hob- bies, and live comfortably after his working life is over, depend upon his ability to earn a good living. Injuries impair his ability to buy, to enjoy, and to save by about 5 million dollars annually. Death or a crippling injury alters the entire life of a fam- ily whether the worker is in- volved in an accident on the job, or drowns while on a fishing trip. Sorrow, despair, insecurity, a lower standard of living, hardships, and even separation of a family, follow the death of the wage earner. PLIGHT Payment of compensation ~ and medical expenses help to alleviate the plight of the THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER SURVIVAL PROBLEM By ANDY SMITH Regional Safety Director family in the case of a serious occupational injury or death. Such payments for the most part are a poor substitute for the prevention of an accident. Compensation provides tem- porary financial relief but does not solve major problems created by the death of a wage earner, PROGRESS Great progress has been made in reducing the ill ef- fects of accidents since the in- ception of organized safety work about 45 years ago. Or- ganized labour’s early atten- tion to safety was devoted al- most entirely to occupational safety and health. These ef- forts, which date back to the establishment of the first un- ions, were directed primarily at the securing of legislature to improve unsafe and un- healthful conditions in plants, and at the securing of com- pensation for injured workers. KEY GROUP The local union safety council is the key group in effective participation in the safety movement. The chair- man and members must have a sincere and dedicated in- terest in safety. However, the interest of the committee must be shared by the local union’s president and execu- tive board. Earnest attitudes to work safety have charac- terized the attitude of some local unions and have shown outstanding contributions to safety work. PORT ALBERNI BUSINESS GUIDE SHOP AT Joodwunds YOUR FAMILY SHOPPING CENTRE FOR A COMPLETE SELECTION OF * * * * * * * ‘UNION MADE’ BY B.C. CRAFTSMEN Your guide to better value PHONE | 723-5641 Training should be one of the first and major activities in the local union’s program. While numerous local union safety committeemen have ac- quired safety and health knowledge through employ- ment in plants having good safety programs and from ex- perience on plant safety com- mittees, the capabilities of the committee are greatly in- creased by members attend- ing safety conferences and courses in the fundamentals of safety and health. Everyone engaged in safety work needs to study specific subjects and problems. How can a specific machine be guarded? What kind of pro- tection is necessary in per- forming a certain operation? Is the method of performing a given job hazardous? If so, what is the safest procedure? COUNCIL A sound safety program for a local union can only be brought about by cooperation with the Regional Safety Council, as well as utilizing off-the-job. programs to de- velop safety in the home and on the highway. The union neither seeks or desires to take over manage- ment’s safety responsibilities. It does, however, offer co- operation to help management live up to its responsibilities. Excellent progress in the prevention of on-the-job ac- cidents has been made in some operations through the joint efforts of local union and employer groups. Doing a good safety job in an opera- tion is not a one-way street consisting only of manage- ment providing a safe place to work, but this is a funda- mental and essential require- ment for safety. No less im- portant are knowledge and the observance of safe prac- tices by workers. STUDIES Studies have shown such frequent unsafe acts as lifting with the back.instead of the legs; placing tools and mate- rials where they could fall; not wearing eye protection and other personal protective equipment which has been provided; cleaning, oiling, and adjusting equipment while it is in motion. These are individual responsibilities. Safety on the job is a dual responsibility. A safe environ- ment must be provided, and men must learn to work safe- ly in that environment. Union efforts must be made in both directions. The utmost zeal in cutting down and alerting management to un- safe conditions while over- looking or condoning the un- safe practices of fellow work-. ers does not achieve maxi- 2nd Issue March, 1966 LG ‘ Meaie 7 7 ease A ANDY SMITH woe & mum safety on the job. Safety committeemen must be just as ready to insist on the ob- servance of safety rules and safe procedures by members as to insist on the correction of unsafe conditions. Mutual understanding of the basic requirements for eliminating accidents has led to the achievement of out- standing records through la- bour-management coopera- tion. Mutual understanding of the basic requirements for eliminating accidents has led to outstanding achievement in many of our operations, This, to a large extent, has been brought about by the com- mittees’ insistence on safe working conditions and safe workers. HANEY BUSINESS GUIDE ESQUIRE MEN’S WEAR . (Graham Mowatt) Complete Stock of Work and Dress Clothing “THE STORE WITH THE POPULAR BRANDS” HANEY BRITISH COLUMBIA lightweight ‘hig power chain saw more power...high speed cutting and perfect balance for greater production in any professional area. IN STOCK AT WESTERN PIONEER CHAIN SAW SALES 328 CARRALL STREET VANCOUVER 3, B.C, Telephone . . . MU. 4-1822