Fatalities and serious injuries are at an unacceptably high level in the
B.C. forest industry. Work-related accidents resulted in 43 fatalities
and 106 serious injuries in 2005.
The Ministry of Forests and Range, including BC Timber Sales, is
committed to improving forest safety and safe worksites. The ministry
subscribes to the Health and Safety Accord of the British Columbia
Forest Industry, which states that serious injuries and fatalities are
preventable.
The Ministry of Forests and Range is taking action to improve safety in
B.C. forest industry by:
- Reviewing regulations and policy from a safety perspective
- Establishing best practices
- Ensuring business objectives go through a safety lens
- Ensuring compliance and enforcement of legislation and licences
- Raising the profile of forest safety internally and externally
Significantly improving safety in the forest industry is possible only
through collaboration with all stakeholders to create a culture of
forest safety. The ministry is working closely with the BC Forest Safety
Council, WorkSafe BC and industry to achieve this goal. The BC Forest
Safety Council was established to provide leadership in addressing the
safety issues facing the forest industry. Representatives from BC Timber
Sales and the Ministry of Forests and Range are active members of the
Safety Council.
Government efforts to improve forest safety include hiring a dedicated
safety officer for the Ministry of Forests and Range, a senior manager
for safety in BC Timber Sales, and a coroner dedicated to forest safety.
This site provides access to important information about forest safety
and links to other organizations also committed to improving the safety
record of the sector.
Reports, Documents, and Communiqués
Safety Related Links
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