Category Archives: Health & Safety

Health & Safety

Platform Science’s Electronic Logging Device Technology Receives Certification in Canada

By Platform Science
Cision Newswire
February 24, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada

Platform Science, a leading connected vehicle platform, today announced that its Electronic Logging Device (ELD) technology has been certified in Canada. ELDs connect to the electronic control of a vehicle to make it easier and faster to track, manage, share, and improve the accuracy of a driver’s hours of service record. All fleets operating in Canada are required to be equipped with a certified ELD by June 12, 2022. ELDs are designed to help reduce fatigue-related crashes, injuries, and deaths, lower administrative costs, increase efficiencies, and improve drivers’ quality of life. Platform Science’s ELD technology … is intended to enable fleets to support their driver’s hours of service compliance … The technology warns drivers under both U.S. and Canadian HOS rules when they are meeting their duty driving thresholds.

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Wood Pellet Association of Canada members commit to safety work plan for 2022

By Gordon Murray, Executive Director, WPAC
The Wood Pellet Association of Canada in Canadian Biomass
February 8, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada

Treating forest workers fairly, with the highest priority placed on the health and safety of employees, is a critical value that became embedded in the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC)’s sustainability statement launched late last year and in our newly published 2022 Work Plan. It is also reflected in our common understanding that the best way to achieve our safety goals is through strong communications, alignment on priorities and sharing knowledge and learnings from both positive and negative experiences. …Scott Bax, chair of WPAC’s safety committee, is impressed with the commitment to safety across the sector and by the collaboration. “Our ambitious commitments have resulted in remarkable progress with the effort of hundreds of dedicated individuals and organizations who are continuing to create a world-class safety system for bioenergy,” said Bax.

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With COVID-19 now detected in Ontario deer, wildlife experts seek to fill research gap

CBC News
January 23, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada

A Guelph expert says crucial research is underway after the discovery of five white-tailed deer in southwestern Ontario that tested positive for COVID-19. The Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mine, Natural Resources and Forestry confirmed these are the first cases reported in free-ranging wildlife in Ontario. Cases in wildlife have been detected in deer in Quebec and Saskatchewan, as well as northeastern U.S. Scott Weese, chief of infection control at the Ontario Veterinary College, said it’s still not known how the deer contracted COVID-19 and more research is needed to determine the possibility of transmission from deer to other species. …He said if deer can transmit the virus to other animals or among themselves, then it can be challenging to control the spread and could potentially create a reservoir of the virus.

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Ottawa to go ahead with trucker vaccine mandate after stating it would scrap it

Canadian Press in the Vancouver Sun
January 13, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada

MONTREAL — The federal government says the vaccine mandate for truckers crossing into Canada from the United States will come into effect this Saturday as planned, despite a previous statement from the Canada Border Services Agency that said Canadian truck drivers would be exempt. In a release today, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos along with the transport and public safety ministers say the CBSA statement from Wednesday evening was “provided in error,” and that Canadian truckers must be vaccinated if they want to avoidquarantine and a pre-arrival molecular test, starting this weekend. …The Canadian and US Trucking groups say up to 26,000 of the 160,000 drivers who make regular cross-border trips will be sidelined as a result of the mandate, adding further bottlenecks and potential price hikes… The federal Conservatives as well as trade groups … called on Ottawa this week to postpone the Jan. 15 deadline, which was announced in mid-November.

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Minimizing the impact of potential of combustible dust fires in wood pellet plants

By Gordon Murray, Executive Director
The Wood Pellet Association of Canada
January 11, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada

The Wood Pellet Association of Canada, BC Forest Safety Council and Dalhousie University recently partnered on an initiative to improve pellet industry practices regarding equipment isolation with an eye on minimizing the impact of potential combustible dust fires, explosions and deflagrations within wood pellet plants. Process safety and hazard analysis expert Kayleigh Rayner Brown of Obex Risk was commissioned to lead a project on analyzing deflagration isolation for safer operation and conducted the work alongside BCFSC safety advisor Bill Laturnus. Funding for the project was provided by Dalhousie University, arranged by Dr. Paul Amyotte. The project focussed on best practices aimed at isolating the potential for this kind of event and involved speaking with subject matter experts from wood pellet plants across Canada, engineering consultants with expertise in combustible dust, as well as experts in deflagration isolation equipment supply. Here is the report.

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Minister of Transport clears Santa Claus for travel in Canadian airspace

By Transport Canada
Cision Newswire
December 23, 2021
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada

OTTAWA, ON – The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, is happy to announce that he has cleared Santa for travel in Canadian airspace. On a virtual call earlier this week, Santa notified Minister Alghabra that he completed his pre-flight checklist—and even checked it twice. Making sure he didn’t wait ’til the night before Christmas to prepare for his journey, Santa had his proof of vaccination ready and made sure that his COVID-19 test was negative before take off. As for the flight crew, Santa’s reindeer were also cleared for travel. Although his nose shone red and bright, Rudolph made sure he had no COVID-19 symptoms before taking off on this important mission. Earlier this month, Transport Canada inspected Santa’s sleigh and its safety systems. The inspectors checked the landing gear and the reindeer harnesses, as well as the communications and navigation systems. 

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Don’t miss the Spring issue of the Forest Safety News

BC Forest Safety Council
February 25, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

Welcome to the Spring edition of Forest Safety News, covering news about safety topics in forestry. This is YOUR safety newsletter.

  • Occupational Health Safety (OHS) Regulation amendments to Part 16 – Mobile Equipment are currently in effect. These new amendments effect mechanized harvesting operations using a feller buncher, a timber harvester or a timber processor.
  • New Resource Road Switchback Video – Check out the latest video on resource road switchbacks.
  • New Online Training – Leadership and Professionalism for Wood Products Manufacturing Supervisors and Stand Tender training are available at no charge for BC forest companies.
  • Working on Live Equipment Information Meeting: On Wednesday, March 9, 2022, WorkSafeBC’s OHS Consultation & Education Services department and the BCFSC are co-sponsoring an online information presentation outlining the specific focus of a WorkSafeBC Occupation Safety Officer during a plant inspection.

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Police search for ‘Kootenay Candle’ arsonist at Red Mountain

The Rossland Telegraph
February 23, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

Trail and Greater District RCMP is asking the public for information about the recent rash of single tree fires occurring during the daytime on the Red Mountain Resort Ski Hill, in Rossland, according to RCMP Sgt. Mike Wicentowich. “Trail RCMP has received reports that someone is lighting old, dead trees, known as a Kootenay Candle, on fire which can flare up and be visible from long distances,’ Wicentowich said. “This appears to be an ongoing occurrence and it is potentially dangerous as the fire could spread causing unintended damage to surrounding trees and structures. ‘Trail RCMP, Red Mountain RCMP Ski Patrol, Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue, and RED Mountain Resort will be collaborating to stop these incidents.

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WorkSafeBC High Risk Strategy

WorkSafeBC
February 17, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

The 2021–2023 Forestry High Risk Strategy (HRS) is a comprehensive prevention strategy that addresses workplace safety in forestry operations. The intent of the Forestry HRS is to execute focused and impactful inspectional activity in those areas of the timber harvesting segment that represent exceptional risk to workers. Identified high risk work activities typically fall into five areas of operations: Manual tree falling; Log transportation; Cable yarding; Mechanized harvesting (primary focus will be on steep slope and tethered/winch-assist operations in 2021–2023); and Silviculture. The goals of the 2021–2023 HRS are to: Reduce the serious injury and fatal injury rates in forestry operations with the greatest risk exposure, and Raise awareness and promote adherence to safe practices. For 2022 inspections, prevention officers will take a risk-based approach to ensure that the most significant risks are effectively managed. This approach involves workers and employers identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing the appropriate controls specific to the on-site activities.

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Investment in Crofton mill good for both air quality and economy: Mayor Siebring

By Robert Barron
The Chemainus Valley Courier
February 12, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

Al Seibring

North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring said the announcement that the province is investing $5.85 million in green projects at Catalyst Paper’s mill in Crofton is good for the environment and the local economy. Siebring said plans to use the funding from the CleanBC Industry Fund to improve the efficiency of the mill’s evaporation process and reduce natural gas use will, hopefully, work towards improving the Valley’s air quality. “As we’ve repeatedly heard from Island Health, we have one the highest rates of [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease] and other respiratory issues in the province and, while we certainly can’t attribute all of that to emissions from the mill, this should help in that respect,” he said. “The other positive for me about this announcement is that it demonstrates the province’s commitment to the long-term viability of, not just of this facility, but the industry in general.”

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Asplundh Canada fined $83,000 for workplace safety violations near Logan Lake

By James Peters
CFJC Today Kamloops
February 10, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

LOGAN LAKE, B.C. — Worksafe BC has issued a major fine against a tree-falling firm for high-risk violations in the Logan Lake area. Asplundh Canada will have to pay a fine of $83,932.35. In a summary of the violations, Worksafe says Asplundh was removing trees damaged by wildfire near a B.C. Hydro right-of-way when the inspection took place. Violations noted included: Failure to ensure a risk assessment was undertaken by a qualified person before workers were exposed to dangerous trees; Failure to provide workers with the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety; Failure to ensure sufficient undercuts were used; Failure to ensure felled trees did not brush standing trees; and Failure to ensure workers did not fall trees unless qualified to do so. Worksafe said the first four violations listed were repeat violations and all five were high-risk violations.

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BC Forest Safety Council releases new video: Resource Road Switchbacks

BC Forest Safety Council
February 8, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

Check out the latest video on resource road switchbacks. As the forestry industry moves into steeper terrain across the province, forest planners, layout and engineering staff, and road construction contractors are playing a crucial role in ensuring the roads that lead us there are safe for their intended  use. This video illustrates key messages for the correct planning, engineering and building of a switchback and the value the forest industry places on ensuring resource roads are safe for all users.

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Coast tree faller dies in logging incident near Egmont

By Bronwyn Beairsto
The Coast Reporter
February 6, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

Darren Emerson

Tree falling was in Darren Emerson’s blood. His father was a faller and taught Darren straight out of high school. “He’s been doing tree falling all his life,” said brother Rory Emerson. “He knew it was dangerous, but he just loved the challenge.” …Emerson, 51, died Jan. 24 while working at a logging site in the North Lake area.  The faller was hit by a snag, said Jim Smith, the site’s contractor. Emerson, as a hand faller, was a self-employed subcontractor, said Smith. Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue responded to the incident at the request of the coroner to do recovery. The BC Coroner’s service is investigating the death, as is WorkSafe BC. …Friends and family, including Emerson’s daughters Melissa, 23, and Ashley, 22, are remembering a man dedicated to his family, who loved the outdoors and was well respected in his industry. 

 

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Supervisors play pivotal role in safe hand falling

By Jesse Marchand
WorkSafeBC
February 4, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

WorkSafeBC’s risk-based inspections have found that while hand fallers have some of the highest injury rates in the province, most incidents are preventable with proper supervision. Manual tree falling … requires good judgement, attention to detail, split decision making, and expertise in regulations, risk assessment and control — on top of the physical strength and stamina needed to deal with heavy trees and equipment in all sorts of weather. WorkSafeBC statistics show that hand falling is one of the most dangerous jobs in B.C.: the injury rate in the manual tree falling classification unit was 20.1 in 2020 — nearly ten times the provincial average of 2.15. Meanwhile, the serious injury rate was 6.5, compared to the provincial average of 0.27. “Each of these serious injuries represents life-changing consequences for both the workers and their loved ones,” says Al Johnson, head of Prevention Services at WorkSafeBC. “Even one such injury is too many when the incidents that cause them are often preventable.” Sadly, incidents in this industry also resulted in the deaths of two hand fallers in 2021.

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Regulations amended for logging loads, traffic control, pump operators, and more

By Lori Guiton, director, Policy, Regulation and Research, WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC
February 4, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

There are new updates to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Employers should review the relevant sections of the Regulation carefully and revise safe work policies and procedures accordingly. What has changed? New amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation came into effect on December 1, 2021. The summaries below only provide a brief overview of the changes. Employers must review the sections of the Regulation relevant to their industry, ensure they understand the changes that effect their workplace, and communicate any changes to their health and safety procedures to their workers. …Logging truck load securement: In addition to updating terms, the following changes in Part 26 harmonize the OHS Regulation with federal National Safety Code, Standard 10 (NSC 10) and modernize requirements to make load securement safer. …Additional amendments in Part 26 include clarifying the requirements related to communication and the process of removing wrappers and tiedowns.

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COVID-19: New Variant Means New Variables for 2022 Forestry Field Season: Employer Workshops Planned to Keep Pace

By John Betts
Western Forestry Contractors’ Association
January 21, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

This novel coronavirus continues to be novel. Omicron, the latest variant in our ongoing acquaintance with the Greek alphabet, has the pandemic in its most infectious surge yet as we approach our third forestry field season. For two years the forestry sector has navigated successfully in keeping camps and crews mostly virus-free. Now it appears inevitable workers will infect or get infected at work. The vaccines will mitigate this. But the possible mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated workers (some employers have mandated vaccines) on some crews is not without its complications. Meanwhile, these considerations are set against evolving public health mandates and measures that are necessarily changing to match the surprises COVID-19 keeps generating. In order to help make sense of these uncertainties the BC SAFE Forestry Program will hold its first, in what will likely be a series of workshops, to update employers and offer advice on how to work with the current rules while keeping their crews safe, their businesses solvent, and their work uninterrupted.

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Avalanche warning posted for B.C. and Alberta backcountry users

Canadian Press in the CBC News
January 20, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

A special avalanche warning has been posted for recreational backcountry users in several regions of B.C. and Alberta as warm temperatures make the snowpack unstable. Avalanche Canada and Parks Canada have issued the advisory to take effect immediately and last through the weekend until Monday. The warning applies to the North and South Columbias, Purcells, Kootenay Boundary, and Glacier, Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. It also applies to B.C.’s Sea-to-Sky region and South Coast Inland area from Squamish to Pemberton. James Floyer, the forecasting program supervisor for Avalanche Canada, says there are weak layers in the mountain snowpack across most of southern B.C. and western Alberta. He says the combination of the snowpack structure, sunshine and higher temperatures will make natural and human-triggered avalanches much more likely.

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United Steelworkers statement on 10th anniversary of Babine sawmill explosion

United Steelworkers
January 20, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

Ten years ago, two workers went to work at the Babine Forest Products sawmill and didn’t return home. Twenty other workers were seriously injured. “Ten years later, we continue to remember the tragic events at the Babine sawmill explosion and our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues on this difficult anniversary,” said Stephen Hunt, United Steelworkers District 3 Director. “There are still many people asking how this tragedy happened and how it could have been prevented. Today we are renewing our call for the provincial government to protect workers.” In 2019, the B.C. Ministry of Labour contracted Vancouver lawyer Lisa Helps to review the actions by WorkSafeBC and the provincial government in relation to worker safety. Helps released her report later that year, making 11 recommendations to strengthen worker safety, ensure a criminal lens is applied to workplace fatalities and put workers back at the centre of WorkSafeBC.

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Worker protections remain key 10 years after fatal northern B.C. sawmill explosions

By Harry Bains, B.C.’s Minister of Labour
BC Local News
January 19, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

Harry Bains

Ten years ago, two workers were killed and 20 others were injured in an explosion at the Babine Forest Products mill near Burns Lake. …Since 2018, our government has taken steps to expand protections for workers, increase penalties for non-compliant employers and encourage employers to invest in workplace health and safety. In 2020, we introduced changes to the Workers Compensation Act to improve health and financial supports for injured workers and their families. …it’s crucial that employers that do not comply with health and safety requirements face serious consequences. WorkSafeBC has hired more prevention and investigations officers, and is stepping up inspections and issuing more citations, fines and penalties to increase compliance. …Increased accountability for employers must go beyond financial penalties. …I am heartened by our progress so far, and we will continue to make progress. Our workers deserve safe workplaces, and it’s my job to make this happen.

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Recent PHO orders transitioning back to COVID-19 safety plans

BC Forest Safety Council
January 7, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

On January 7, 2022, the provincial health officer announced an order requiring employers to reinstate those site specific, prescriptive COVID-19 safety plans to address the elevated risk currently facing us with the Omicron variant. While communicable disease prevention plans and COVID-19 Safety Plans share some of the same fundamental principles, COVID-19 Safety Plans are formal, written plans with more rigorous controls and are more appropriate for periods of elevated risk. The COVID-19 safety plan will supersede the basic principles of communicable disease prevention during this period of elevated risk by incorporating more specific protocols for preventing COVID-19 transmission. These may include occupancy limits, physical distancing, and barriers.

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Make climate change insurance mandatory

Western Standard
January 14, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

Some people have claimed weather disasters in Canada this year — from floods the forest fires — have been caused by climate change. Getting climate change insurance could be forced on Canadian homeowners, says a federal report. “We welcome and support the core findings,” Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair said in a Thursday statement. Blacklock’s Reporter said the report by the Council of Canadian Academies complained too few property owners at risk of flooding have private insurance. Canadian insurers first sold overland flood coverage in 2015. Some people have claimed weather disasters in Canada this year — from floods the forest fires — have been caused by climate change. “Canada is an outlier among many advanced economies offering some form of nationalized flood insurance,” said the report. The report questioned payment of federal disaster relief to homeowners who live on flood plains and cannot or will not pay for private insurance.

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WorkSafeBC supporting employers as they update and reactivate COVID-19 safety plans

WorkSafeBC
January 10, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

Richmond, B.C. — WorkSafeBC announced today that it will be supporting B.C. employers as they reactivate their COVID-19 safety plans. These efforts follow the Provincial Health Officer’s order that COVID-19 safety plans will be required by all employers currently operating in B.C. A COVID-19 Safety Plan involves a multi-step process to assess the risks of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace and to introduce measures to reduce those risks. “Fortunately, employers in B.C. are experienced with COVID-19 safety plans and they now need to reactivate their plan by reviewing and updating it for the current environment,” says Al Johnson, Head of Prevention Services at WorkSafeBC. To support employers and workers, WorkSafeBC is posting COVID-19 safety plan resources online, including sector-specific protocols, checklists, planning templates, education and training materials, signage, and other tools.

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WorkSafeBC reminding employers and workers to take precautions when working in cold weather

WorkSafeBC
December 29, 2021
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

Richmond, B.C. — With cold temperatures and winter conditions continuing to be in the forecast for most of B.C., WorkSafeBC is reminding employers and workers to take precautions and stay safe when working outdoors. …Between 2016 and 2020, a total of 56 claims were accepted by WorkSafeBC for injuries related to cold stress. The most common cold-weather injury is frostbite, which can occur quickly in extreme temperatures, especially when wind or wet clothing are factors. Cold stress can also lead to hypothermia, where a worker becomes so cold they lose more heat than their body produces. Hypothermia has the potential to be fatal. “Working in cold-weather conditions can lead to serious injuries if you’re not prepared,” says Tom Brocklehurst, Director of OHS Practice and Engineering Support at WorkSafeBC. “Employers need to be aware of the risks to their workers during this cold snap, and ensure measures are in place to keep their workforce safe.”

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Occupational first aid curriculum consultation

WorkSafeBC
December 14, 2021
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

WorkSafeBC will be engaging stakeholders on the future state of occupational first aid (OFA) curricula in British Columbia early next year, as part of our ongoing commitment to understand how to evolve our service offerings to improve workplace health and safety. We are considering a transition away from developing our own OFA curriculum and encouraging workers and employers to follow the CSA-aligned curriculum produced by provincial and national first aid organizations instead. This is only a preliminary proposal at this point. We want to gather more information through open and transparent consultation with training providers and end-users (workers and employers) before making any decisions. In January, we will be hosting two information sessions for approved training providers and offering an online survey to collect feedback.

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Managing Stress and Preventing Burnout

BC Forest Safety Council
December 10, 2021
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

We live in unprecedented times. The impact of the global pandemic has forced many of us to adjust to new working environments and conditions. Additional PPE, new procedures, reduced social opportunities with coworkers and remote work settings are creating new stressors that are affecting mental health and personal wellness for many workers across the province. Added layers of upsetting news about recent wildfires, flooding across BC and industry instability are also major contributors to rising stress and anxiety levels and can make it more difficult for us to prevent overwhelming surges of negative emotions. This Safety Alert will review stress information and suggest good practices for managing stress, preventing burnout, avoiding a steady stream of distractions to keep you on track and help foster healthier habits to maintain mental and physical wellbeing.

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No evidence yet cabinet minister knock-down near legislature related to role

Victoria News
December 14, 2021
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada West

Victoria police investigators have yet to find evidence suggesting B.C. cabinet minister Katrine Conroy being injured near the legislature Dec. 7 was related to her government role. Conroy, the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, was treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries after being knocked to the ground by an unknown person last week. Conroy was reportedly walking near Ontario and Oswego streets between 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. when the incident occurred, police said in a Tuesday update. VicPD detectives are continuing to gather and review video evidence and are still trying to determine whether the incident involved a criminal motive or was somehow an unfortunate accident.

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Mental health training planned for mining and forestry workers in northern Ontario

The Bay Today
February 14, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada East

Mining and forestry workers in northern Ontario will get mental health training and resources under a new government initiative. The Province will spend $1.7 million to support Workplace Safety North (WSN) in developing and delivering the plan. …“Our miners and forestry workers operate in challenging environments day-in and day-out to deliver materials that communities across Ontario rely on,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “While these jobs provide rewarding, meaningful careers, we need to acknowledge the mental toll they can take. Every worker, no matter the profession, needs to know that help is always a phone call away.” Research shows mining and forestry workers are at higher risk of experiencing anxiety, stress, and depression.

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After crash sent logs into home, villagers call for action on trucks speeding to mill

By Aidan Cox
CBC News
February 10, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada East

Trucks going to J.D. Irving mill don’t slow down through village, says woman whose house was damaged by logs. A logging truck had tipped over in front of Emiley McDonald’s home on Main Street in Chipman, east of Fredericton. At least three logs came through the living room, while others downed power poles outside. “I just heard a loud gush,” McDonald said. “And when I turned around, I could just see logs and snow going through my living room. I thought that the whole truck was going through my house, and then I could hear the scraping of the metal as it was sliding down the road.” While no one was hurt in the crash, she and other residents say something needs to be done about the trucks speeding through the village above the limit of 50 kilometres an hour on their way to the J.D. Irving mill.

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Occupational Health and Safety is a ‘unique career’ says safety association president

By Maia Foulis
Canadian Occupational Safety
December 15, 2021
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, Canada East

Paul Andre

Safety is a “unique career that has an impact on the health and safety of others,” says Paul Andre. Andre has a background in forestry and was working as a chainsaw operator and cable skidder operator when Ontario introduced legislation in the early ’90s for those professions and for mechanical equipment operators in the province. This new legislation required training on health and safety principles and practices related to the equipment being operated. Having taken the training, Andre went on to do training himself, notably with the Forest Products Accident Prevention Association. This was his first foray into occupational health and safety. Andre is now President and CEO of Workplace Safety North. …“We provide health and safety training and consulting services to the mining, forestry, paper printing and converting sectors right across Ontario,” says Andre. …Andre says that the pandemic has been a huge challenge and a “unique experience.”

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Breathing problems reported in wildfire survivors, according to study

By Bill Poehler
Statesman Journal
February 2, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: United States, US West

Survivors of the 2020 Labor Day wildfires in Santiam Canyon cities reported breathing problems, health problems and struggles to find housing still impacted them a year after the fires, according to an Oregon State University community health study. Of the more than 100 residents of cities including Detroit, Gates, Lyons, Mill City and Idanha who participated in the survey from October to November, 55% reported having some or a lot of difficulty breathing, compared with 27% who reported they had breathing problems before the fires. Respondents to the survey reported they were still changing air filters in their houses every two weeks and that both they and their animals continue to experience health issues due to contamination from the fires.

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Oregon Department of Environmental Quality finds carcinogenic compounds in west Eugene yards around J.H. Baxter & Co. plant

By Adam Duvernay
The Register-Guard
January 13, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: United States, US West

The soil of at least seven west Eugene homes is contaminated with toxic chemicals state regulators believe originated with the activities of one of their industrial neighbors. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality announced Thursday soil samples in west Eugene show high levels of dioxins, a class of toxic compounds generated during some industrial processes. DEQ believes operations at the wood treatment company J.H. Baxter & Co., a longtime source of pollution, are responsible for the contamination. DEQ has discovered dioxins in soil samples from around the J.H. Baxter & Co. facility on Roosevelt Boulevard before, but the latest sample results are the first evidence of those chemicals at nearby residences. Six of the homes require cleanup and soil replacement. DEQ will be working with J.H. Baxter on a cleanup plan for those properties, according to DEQ spokesman Dylan Darling.

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Health Risks of Smoke and Ozone Rise in the West as Wildfires Worsen

By Henry Fountain
The New York Times
January 5, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: United States, US West

Dangerous levels of two air pollutants, ozone and smoke, are occurring in tandem with increasing frequency over widespread parts of the Western United States where millions of people live, researchers said Wednesday. The two harmful pollutants are a result of worsening wildfires and extreme heat, and researchers suggest the increase is linked to climate change. …Washington State University Vancouver analyzed summer air pollution data from 2000 to 2020. …Surface-level ozone is a large component of smog, and is produced when vehicle and other emissions react with sunlight, especially on hot summer days. Smoke contains fine soot particles, and much of this kind of pollution, called PM2.5 because it is smaller than 2.5 micrometers, comes from wildfires. …Overall, the study found that between 2000 and 2020, millions of people in the Western United States were exposed to more days of combined harmful smoke and ozone pollution each year.

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Fire prevention for Christmas trees

By Cade Menter
KRTV Great Falls, Montana
December 22, 2021
Category: Health & Safety
Region: United States, US West

According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 160 home fires are started by Christmas trees each year resulting in an average of three deaths, 15 injuries, and up to $10 million in property damage annually. The primary causes of such fires are lighting or electrical equipment, such as candles and heating sources. A live Christmas tree burn that was demonstrated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows how fast a dried-out Christmas tree can burn, with flashover occurring in less than one minute, as opposed to a well-watered tree which burns at a much slower rate.

 

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John Edgar Rhodes Sawmill Safety Excellence Award

The Southern Forest Products Association
February 23, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: United States, US East

The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) announced the newly rebranded John Edgar Rhodes Sawmill Safety Excellence Award. The award embodies the impact, dedication and legacy of Rhodes, one of the lumber industry’s most revered and celebrated leaders. …Rhodes took a position as secretary-manager of the Northern Pine Association in 1898 and became a personal secretary to Frederick Weyerhaeuser in 1908. …Rhodes was appointed secretary-manager of the National Lumber Manufacturers’ Association and the Southern Pine Association (SPA) until his untimely death from illness in 1923. In 1970, the SPA officially became the SFPA we know today. …John Edgar Rhodes Sawmill Safety Excellence Award recipients are selected based on information submitted regarding occupational injuries and illnesses as reported to OSHA using Form 300A, including the annual average number of employees, total hours worked, and total number of recordable cases.

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Cancer-causing compound detected at South Carolina paper mill

By Nick De La Canal
Blue Ridge Public Radio
January 13, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: United States, US East

A highly-toxic chemical compound known to cause cancer has been detected at the New Indy Containerboard plant in Catawba, South Carolina. In addition to causing cancer, the compound known as dioxincan also cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage to the immune system and interfere with hormones. It’s sometimes produced by chlorine bleaching of pulp and paper. The compound has been detected in four aging waste lagoons at the New Indy plant, and at least one of those lagoons — known as Sludge Lagoon 4 — has been eroding or leaking in recent years, according to a 2020 report filed with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The state says there’s no evidence that the toxic compound has leaked into the nearby Catawba River, which is a source of drinking water for some South Carolina towns further downstream.

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MEMIC lauds TNT Road Company with safety award

Bangor Daily News
January 4, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: United States, US East

PORTLAND — The MEMIC Group has named TNT Road Company Inc. to its annual list of MEMIC Award winners in recognition of its achievements in safety excellence. Established in 1987, TNT Road Company offers comprehensive logging and forest management services for landowners of all sizes and is Master Logger Certified.  The company also offers grinding and chipping of all species of wood, and transports biomass and softwood chips to mills in Aroostook County and nearby Canada. The company was recognized with a MEMIC Award for Excellence in Safety for making workforce safety part of its culture and demonstrating continuous education and employee involvement to prevent on-the-job injuries. Participation in safety workshops, on-site training, pre-project safety planning, ergonomic assessments, and material handling practices are just part of the foundation for award consideration.

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Drax pleads not guilty in health and safety wood dust case

By Victoria Seabrook
Sky News UK
February 10, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: International

Energy giant Drax Power has pleaded not guilty to allegations that wood dust from its biomass pellets posed a risk to employees’ health. In September 2021, Sky News revealed the energy producer was facing criminal prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for two alleged offences. Appearing via video link at Leeds Crown Court, Dominic Kay QC, representing Drax Power Ltd, today pleaded not guilty to both charges. Drax is accused of exposing employees to wood dust at its Selby plant – where it burns woody biomass to generate electricity – thereby risking their “health, safety and welfare at work”. It is also charged with failing to make a suitable risk assessment before allowing employees to work with potentially “hazardous substances” at the biomass power station, which is the largest of its kind in the UK.

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‘Master’ forestry worker with impeccable record was killed by the last tree he cut

By Marty Sharpe
Stuff.co.nz
February 2, 2022
Category: Health & Safety
Region: International

Walter Collier was a master of his trade.  The 56-year-old tree-feller had more than 30 years experience in the forestry industry. Every test, assessment and unit he’d taken he passed with flying colours.  The day before his death he was assessed as “a very competent faller, does a good job safely”. His boss regarded him as a “master” and his trusted “right-hand man” and said he was the best worker he’d ever employed from the East Coast.  For reasons likely to never be known, Collier, a loved dad and grandfather, made an uncharacteristic mistake when felling the last tree he’d ever cut. It cost him his life.  ….Findings by coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale, released this week, quoted a WorkSafe forestry inspector who said the tree Collier attempted to cut had been under tension due to wind damage.

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Wood dust, one of ten explosive materials revealed

By Larry Adams
The Woodworking Network
December 15, 2021
Category: Health & Safety
Region: International

Recent research has revealed ten unexpectedly explosive materials, including wood dust, due to combustible dust. Experts in dust extraction, Extraction Solutions, found the explosive power of ten non-suspecting materials using the KST deflagration index of dust, which ranges from no risk of explosion (ST 0) to a very strong explosion rating (ST 3). Of the materials included in the research, sugar and orange instant drink had the highest explosiveness rating of ST 2. Wood dust was found to have an estimated weak (ST1) explosive risk, but the severity of an explosion depends on various factors, including the moisture content, the size of the ignition source, and the enclosure’s strength. …Three elements are needed to spark a fire, known as the ‘fire triangle’, consisting of fuel to burn, oxygen, and an ignition source. However, two additional factors are needed to cause a dust explosion, forming the ‘dust pentagon’. 

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Forestry fatality in Hawke’s Bay ‘sad, unnecessary’ reality of industry, says union

By Sahiban Hyde
New Zealand Herald
December 14, 2021
Category: Health & Safety
Region: International

The loss of Niko O’Neill Brooking-Hodgson represents a “sad and unnecessary” reality of the forestry industry, says FIRST Union organiser transport, logistics and manufacturing Dan Epiha-Netana.  Coroner Donna Llewell has released her findings into the death of Niko, who was struck by a line that suddenly came free.  She made recommendations to WorkSafe and MBIE.  They include that the industry’s ACOP (Approved Code of Practice) should include the operation of line retrieval as an operational risk, separate from line shifting.  Also that the use of a straw line (a light cable used to haul heavier cables to move, secure, or put down a load) becomes mandatory.  Niko, 24, from East Coast (Ngāti Porou) was living in Napier when he died from head and chest injuries sustained in the forestry accident on August 22, 2016.

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