|
 |
 |
 |
The forest industry in British Columbia has a history of successfully addressing difficult challenges, and as a result, it continues to be a resilient and vital part of our economy. We can be proud of our forestry accomplishments over the past century of British Columbia’s history.
The forest industry, by its nature, is a dangerous sector, but it can and should be safer. Historically we have had high rates of serious injuries and fatalities. High injury rates will always be part of our past. They will not be part of our future. As we continue to rejuvenate and modernize our industry, we are addressing this safety challenge.
Everyone wins when everyone feels safe
Safety is key to business success. Adhering to proper safety practices does not hinder efficiency or productivity. On the contrary, when workers are injured on the job, hours, days, weeks and months are lost. Insurance rates and the cost of liability protection increase. Time and time again, it’s been demonstrated that a safe worker is a productive worker and a safe company is a profitable company.
The loss is also not just in dollars. Experienced workers are lost, sometimes forever, and the morale of the workforce is affected. New workers become more difficult to attract to the sector. Improved safety becomes an important element of the long-term success of our sector.
To address this issue, in 2003 the then Minister of Skills Development and Labour, Graham Bruce established the Forest Safety Task Force bringing together industry representatives to develop a safety strategy for the forest sector.
BC Forest Safety Council
The Council was formed in response to a key recommendation of the Task Force to create a permanent safety infrastructure for the sector. The sector now has, for the first time, an organization whose sole mandate is to provide leadership and focus on all aspects of forest safety.
An Association of Associations
The BC Forest Safety Council is an organization of organizations, with forestry-related organizations represented on the Board:
In addition, WorksafeBC participates in the work and deliberations of the Council as active observers.
Safety Council Priorities
Nurture Cultural Change
Promote safety as a shared responsibility throughout the forest industry and the general public to influence attitudes and increase awareness of safety issues and their importance.
Create a Safety-Conscious Legal Regime
Work with government agencies and the industry to ensure that the current legal regime is safety friendly; that legislation and regulations that govern the industry promote safety; that enforcement and compliance are effective.
Develop and Support a Competent, Confident Workforce
Work to ensure that forest workers are trained for the work they do and provided with the tools and the environment needed to work safely and confidently.
Ensure Companies are Qualified
Work with industry to ensure that the companies working in the sector have in place the necessary programs and procedures to ensure that workers are properly trained and protected, and that their worksites are safe.
Safety Council Initiatives
Safety Links
|
| |
|
|
|
