The “Day of Mourning” is a day dedicated to honour those who lost their lives as a result of a work-related incident or occupational diseases. Day of Mourning ceremonies have been held across the country ever since the Canadian Labour Congress initiated a national Day of Mourning ceremony on April 28, 1984 and is now recognized annually around the world in more than 100 countries. April 28th was chosen because it was on this date in 1914 that the first Workers’ Compensation Act was brought into effect in Canada.
- Deaths from workplace injury average nearly a thousand per year in Canada.
- There are approximately one million workplace injuries a year in Canada
- A compensable injury occurs every seven seconds of each working day.
Additional coverage:
- Business in Vancouver by the Canadian Press: B.C. reports 138 work-related deaths in 2025; occupational diseases the leading cause
- Victoria Times Colonist, by Darron Kloster: Ceremonies on Tuesday to honour 138 B.C. workers who died last year “Across the province, the public administration sector — which almost entirely includes firefighters — accounted for the most deaths, with 27, followed by 19 who died while employed in construction, 14 in forestry jobs, eight in mining and seven in wood and paper manufacturing.”
Join industry leaders, safety professionals and regulators at the 2026 Wood Pellet and Bioenergy Safety Summit, taking place June 9-10, 2026, in Prince George, BC. Hosted by the Wood Pellet Association of Canada’s Safety Committee, in collaboration with the BC Forest Safety Council, WorkSafe BC and media partner Canadian Biomass, the Summit focuses on practical, real-world safety challenges facing the sector today. Sessions will cover rotary drum dryer safety, process safety management (PSM) and emerging safety initiatives. Worker well-being is a key focus with a hands-on musculoskeletal injury (MSI) workshop on day one and a full-day mental health workshop on day two—reinforcing the importance of both physical and psychological well-being. Designed for those responsible for safety, operations, and workforce health, this event offers valuable opportunities to learn, share and strengthen safety practices across the industry.
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Wildfire smoke is a toxic cocktail of gases, small particles and other ingredients. It’s known to contain hundreds of chemicals. It contains particulate matter, sometimes referred to as soot. …According to an article published by Stanford University, repeated, acute exposure to smoke can shorten firefighters’ life expectancy by about a decade. …Guy Bourgouin, an NDP member of provincial Parliament in Ontario, has demanded breathing protection for wildland firefighters in the province’s legislature. He says the government has been receptive. …Provincial agencies share information and resources through the non-profit Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. It sets standards, including a fitness test used to determine whether a candidate is strong enough to withstand the job’s rigours. But CIFFC has no discernible role in breathing protection and denied an interview request for this story. …The BC Wildfire Service has emerged as Canada’s leader in this quest. Working with the University of Alberta, in 2019 it began studying smoke’s contents and sought to determine whether they were getting into workers’ bodies, with or without N95 masks. [The Globe and Mail is a subscription publication]
Residents and long-weekend travellers are encouraged to plan, be prepared and stay safe this Victoria Day long weekend as fire prohibitions take effect in parts of B.C. Most new wildfires at this time of year are preventable. People are asked to take precautions with any fire use, stay up to date on current wildfire activity, check for road closures, evacuation alerts and orders, and pay attention to weather conditions. Know the campfire restrictions wherever you are: Category 2 and 3 open fire prohibitions are in place throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre, Coastal Fire Centre, Kamloops Fire Centre and parts of the Prince George Fire Centre and Northwest Fire Centre. Effective Friday, May 15, 2026, noon, the Category 1 campfire prohibition will be rescinded throughout the Coastal Fire Centre. 
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation provides that, except as otherwise determined by WorkSafeBC, an employer must ensure no worker is exposed to a substance exceeding the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) prescribed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Twice a year, the ACGIH publishes a list of substances for which they have set new or revised TLVs. When WorkSafeBC adopts the new or revised ACGIH TLVs as regulatory exposure limits for chemical substances, these exposure limits are referred to as B.C. Exposure Limits (ELs). An EL is the maximum allowed airborne concentration for a chemical substance for which it is believed that nearly all workers may be exposed over a working lifetime and experience no adverse health effects. ELs may be set out as an 8-hour time-weighted average concentration, a 15-minute short-term exposure limit, or a ceiling limit.
Safety Starts Here: June 9-10, 2026, Prince George, BC | The Wood Pellet Association of Canada’s (WPAC’s) 2026 Wood Pellet and Bioenergy Safety Summit is rapidly approaching. The Summit offers valuable opportunities to learn, share and strengthen safety practices across the industry. Join industry leaders, safety professionals and regulators to discuss rotary drum dryer safety, process safety management (PSM) and emerging safety initiatives. Participate in a hands-on musculoskeletal injury (MSI) workshop and a full-day mental health workshop, giving you tools to support the physical and psychological well-being of yourself and your colleagues. Hosted by WPAC’s Safety Committee, in collaboration with the BC Forest Safety Council, WorkSafe BC and media partner Canadian Biomass, the Summit focuses on practical, real-world safety challenges facing the sector today. Whether your role is in safety leadership, operations, maintenance, or workforce health, the WPAC Safety Summit provides valuable opportunities to learn, connect, and contribute to safer workplaces across the sector.
Vancouver and Victoria are the worst places to live in Canada for those with tree pollen allergies, according to a new report. The report from Aerobiology Research Laboratories shows the two B.C. cities are home to some of the most allergenic trees in the country, like birch and maple, and have a longer pollen season. The Ontario-based lab, which monitors airborne pollen with a network of 30 stations across the country, says conditions in the region create what it calls a “perfect storm” for allergy sufferers. “[The two cities] are so close to the coast and you get very mild temperature,” said laboratory director Daniel Coates. “Pollen loves warm weather.” He says allergy season in Vancouver and Victoria has already been intense this year and is expected to worsen in the coming weeks. The West Coast has been facing elevated pollen levels since January, much earlier than the rest of the country…
Domtar says WorkSafeBC is investigating after a worker was injured at its Port Alberni mill last week and taken to hospital in serious condition. CHEK News reported that the man had a burn injury. “A full investigation is underway with WorkSafeBC, and we intend to share more information as it becomes available,” Domtar said in a message to employees. It also recognized coworkers who responded quickly to help the man “and ensured that he received immediate care.” B.C. Emergency Health Services said it was called at 5:44 a.m. April 9 for the incident. [END]
Brian Bruce Welch passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on January 5, 2026. His loss is felt by all who knew him, and he will be remembered for his dedication to career, family, and friends. …Brian worked for years as a commercial fisherman… When terra firma called, Brian was welcomed by father Bruce E. Welch to formally join the family business, thus becoming the fourth generation to help carry forward the legacy of Olympic Forest Products Ltd, which operated continuously between 1932 and 2026 and was at one point amongst the top BC coastal forestry industry operators. Brian’s long career in the forest industry reflected both pride in family history and commitment to strengthening business for the future, often despite significant industry wide challenges and hurdles. …In 1988 Bruce Welch appointed Brian President of Olympic Forest Products Ltd, Bruce assuming the role of Chair for what had become a group of companies. Following family tradition, Brian served on the TLA board in 2002 and 2003, chairing the Industrial Committee and serving on the Worker Health & Safety Committee.
Ross Hay-Roe left this world on March 24, 2026, with his two children by his side, after three long years of living each day without the love of his life, Lee, as his constant companion. …After graduating high school, Ross studied Aeronautics at Cal Tech in Calgary and moved to Toronto where Ross worked on the Avro Arrow. His career as an Aeronautical Engineer ended abruptly the day the Canadian Government shut down the program in 1957. Ross made his way back to Edmonton where he studied commerce at the University of Alberta, later achieving the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation. Moving back to Toronto, Ross began working as a sell-side equity analyst focusing on the Forest Products industry. Moving around to various firms, Ross developed a great reputation in the industry… Ross and Lee helped to start an independent investment research shop called Equity Research Associates. Given the level of insight and critical thinking Ross brought to his analysis, his viewpoints were highly sought after. Ross expanded the firm’s forest products coverage and eventually sold the business, which now operates as ERA Forest Products Research.
Health officials and advocates are raising concerns about gaps in air quality monitoring across rural BC, saying some communities may be exposed to dangerous wildfire smoke levels if they don’t have access to accurate local data. It comes as the health impacts of wildfire smoke are becoming clearer, and as new monitoring stations are being installed in parts of the province to address the gaps. Air quality is typically monitored by federal and provincial governments and according to Environment Canada, 286 sites across every province and territory make up the National Air Pollution Surveillance program. “Even with nearly 300 sites, there are enormous gaps in geography — often at the expense of rural and remote communities,” said Christopher Lam, of the BC Lung Foundation. …Smoke from the record-breaking Canadian wildfires in 2023 caused an estimated 5,400 acute deaths and about 82,100 premature deaths worldwide.
The Tree Frog Forestry News encourages readers to check out the WorkSafeBC Spring 2026 issue of WorkSafe Magazine. The lead story has a strong focus on preventing “struck-by” incidents and improving safety around mobile equipment. It highlights how B.C. forest-product operations are redesigning worksites with engineered controls—such as barriers, walkways, and traffic systems—to better separate workers from moving equipment. Additional features include practical tools to help employers assess and control struck-by risks, along with guidance on roadside work planning and traffic management. The issue also tackles hearing safety, cautioning that personal audio devices are not a substitute for approved hearing protection. WorkSafeBC updates round out the edition, including a refreshed commercial fishing safety guide, clarified rules for reporting tips and gratuities, and progress on asbestos licensing and certification programs. Together, the issue emphasizes proactive planning, clear controls, and shared responsibility as key to safer workplaces across B.C.
COCHRANE, Alberta — West Fraser Mills has been charged in relation to a workplace death in Alberta 
One of the most persistent myths in BC business circles is that WorkSafeBC is sitting on a massive surplus—a piggy bank that should be cracked open and handed back to employers. Manitoba did it, Ontario did it. …So why not BC? Because the surplus is depleted. It didn’t disappear overnight. It was frittered away, year by year, policy by policy, under an NDP government. …And now, BC’s small business owners are staring down the consequences. …According to WorkSafeBC’s own financial statements, in 2019 the system was funded at 153%—a full 23 points above the 130% floor set by policy and insurance best practices. That cushion, billions built up over decades, was a rainy day fund. It was never meant to finance an ever-expanding bureaucratic empire. …In 2019, WorkSafeBC’s rate of $1.55 per $100 of assessable payroll was among the lowest in Canada—only three provinces were cheaper. By 2024, that same $1.55 is higher than every province except two.
When it comes to WorkSafeBC, one of the most misunderstood issues we hear about from business groups is the surplus. Specifically, many small-business associations have been calling on WorkSafeBC to rebate the surplus back to employers since our funding level is above target. For background, the funding level is simply a ratio of assets over liabilities on a funding basis. …What is also not well understood is that WorkSafeBC has been returning significant amounts of surplus funds to employers annually to keep rates both stable and below the actual costs of the system. …The reality is that if WorkSafeBC refunded the entire surplus to employers we would no longer be able to price premiums below system costs, meaning rates would have to be raised in subsequent years. …Rate stability for employers is a priority for WorkSafeBC. Some sectors benefiting from rate reductions in 2026 include sawmills (down 40%), framing and residential forming (down 40%).
Transport truck drivers have the most injury claims for work-related crashes of any occupation in BC over the last 10 years. And driver fatigue is a contributing factor in many crashes. Developing a strategy for reducing driver fatigue is smart business. It can help save lives and reduce the risk of injuries. It can also help you meet your legal responsibilities. Use Road Safety at Work’s no-cost resources to create or enhance your fatigue management strategy. Transport truck drivers account for nearly one-quarter of all injury claims from work-related vehicle crashes in our province, according to WorkSafeBC. …A successful fatigue management strategy depends on an effective safety culture and employee engagement. Encourage drivers to report fatigue and to pull over for a short rest when they feel it. Discuss it at safety meetings. Make fatigue part of your fit for duty assessments. Emphasize the importance of adequate sleep.
The March 2026 issue of Forest Safety News is out now — and it’s packed with important updates for everyone in the forest sector! From mental health resources to leadership changes and upcoming safety events, this edition focuses on building safer workplaces across British Columbia. This month’s lead story highlights the Connection to Care program, a FREE and confidential support service for forestry workers navigating stress, job pressures, or life challenges — because mental wellness is now a core part of workplace safety. We also mark a leadership moment as long-time CEO Rob Moonen retires after 16 years, and Cherie Whelan steps in as the new CEO, bringing deep experience in safety and industry engagement. Plus, don’t miss the Interior Safety Conference in Kamloops — a full day of sessions and networking for professionals across harvesting, silviculture, transportation, and manufacturing. There’s much more inside including safety alerts, training updates, and industry links you’ll want to see. Read the full issue for all the details!
COWICHAN BAY, BC — Simon Fraser University researchers have uncovered concerning fibreglass contamination in a key estuary on Vancouver Island, raising concerns about how an as-yet overlooked contaminant could affect aquatic birds, marine life and coastal communities that rely on shellfish and seafood. A 
The Winter 2025 issue of WorkSafe Magazine is now available, featuring practical guidance and real-world examples to help employers and workers build safer, healthier workplaces. Learn how retailers are preventing common musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) through smarter layouts, ergonomic tools, and proactive training. Go behind the scenes of WorkSafeBC’s Student Safety Video Contest and discover what makes a safety message resonate. Get expert tips on assessing and supporting crane operators to improve safety, skills. See how early communication and collaborative return-to-work planning help injured workers recover while staying connected to the workplace. And don’t miss the Western Conference on Safety 2025 — Vancouver, April 20 & 21
PRINCE GEORGE, BC — On the anniversary of the Babine Forest Products mill explosion, the United Steelworkers union is remembering the two workers killed and the more than 20 others injured in the 2012 tragedy, while welcoming long-overdue reforms to BC’s combustible dust safety regulations. Fourteen years ago, two workers went to work at the Babine sawmill near Burns Lake, BC, and did not return home after a powerful explosion caused by combustible wood dust. The disaster remains one of the deadliest industrial workplace tragedies in the province’s history. …At its November 2025 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved significant amendments to Part 6 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation to modernize how combustible dust hazards are regulated in BC. …The new requirements include mandatory combustion risk assessments, written combustible dust management programs, stronger controls on ignition sources and dust accumulation, and enhanced training and worker consultation. The amendments will come into force on Jan. 4, 2027.
The Cache
THUNDER BAY — The source of the bad smell detected across a broad section of the city last week remains unconfirmed. Residents of various neighbourhoods contacted the fire department and Enbridge gas the morning of Jan. 7 to report an unpleasant odour in the air. A spokesperson for the ministry of the environment, conservation and parks says it investigated after a complaint was filed with the Spills Action Centre. “No incidents or spills were reported to the ministry (that were) linked to the odour,” he told Newswatch, adding that the ministry would follow up if it received any new information. The spokesperson also said Thunder Bay Pulp & Paper confirmed it was operating normally at the time the bad smell occurred.
High temperatures are expected to continue baking large sections of the U.S. through the end of the week, potentially setting more than 100 new daily temperature records between Thursday and Sunday, forecasts show. Temperatures were forecast to linger around 30 or 40 degrees above average in a number of southwestern and Central states, continuing a trend that began earlier in the week as a massive heat wave expands further into the western two-thirds of the country, said CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan. Indianapolis reached 81 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday, breaking a 1907 record of 80 degrees, the National Weather Service said. …The heat wave that initially brought unusual warmth to the West last week has been slowly moving eastward, with forecasts indicating it would arrive on the southeastern coast by Friday. Along the way, it may fuel a series of potentially severe storms across parts of the Midwest. 
Wildfires have increased in frequency and severity over the past few decades. More fires are burning at the wildland-urban interface (WUI), where homes and other buildings meet the natural landscape—but our understanding of emissions from structure fires is still growing. New research led by the University of Colorado Boulder’s Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences shows that common synthetic materials used in homes, like plastics and insulation, can release harmful compounds into the air when they burn. But synthetic materials make up only a small fraction of a home. Timber and wood panels make up the majority of the materials used, and the burning emissions from those are not so different from a vegetation fire. The work, 
Supporters of the “Make America Healthy Again” strategy have long railed against pesticides, making opposition to them a pillar of the movement. But an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump last week collides with that long-held stance. The order states that glyphosate … is “central to American economic and national security” and calls for an adequate domestic supply. Glyphosate inhibits protein synthesis in plants and microorganisms, leading to their death. Scientists can genetically modify field crops — choosing which survive after glyphosate treatment. US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a key figure in the MAHA movement, has long opposed glyphosate-based pesticides. …He reiterated last month on Katie Miller’s podcast that “I believe glyphosate causes cancer.” But Kennedy sounded a different tone. “Donald Trump’s executive order puts America first where it matters most — our defense readiness and our food supply,” said Kennedy.
Chronic exposure to pollution from wildfires has been linked to tens of thousands of deaths annually in the United States, according to a new study. The paper found that from 2006 to 2020, long-term exposure to tiny particulates from wildfire smoke contributed to an average of 24,100 deaths a year in the lower 48 states. “Our message is: Wildfire smoke is very dangerous. It is an increasing threat to human health,” said Yaguang Wei, a study author and assistant professor in the department of environmental medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. …“It’s only if we’re doing multiple studies with many different designs that we gain scientific confidence of our outcomes,” said Michael Jerrett, professor of environmental health science at the University of California, Los Angeles. The paper’s researchers focused on deaths linked to chronic exposure to fine particulate matter, or PM2.5 — the main concern from wildfire smoke.
FREMONT, Nebraska — Fremont wood processor Horizon Biofuels will be fined up to $147,500 by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration for “willful and serious safety violations after a deadly explosion at the company’s Fremont facility in July 2025,” the US Department of Labor announced. Horizon has until Feb. 19 to decide whether it wants to appeal the citation, according to a spokesperson with the Kansas City OSHA office. …The explosion killed 32-year-old employee Dylan Danielson and his two daughters, both under the age of 12. The violations include “combustible dust buildup, failure to ensure equipment within the facility was protected from creating an ignition source and lack of fall protection for employees working at heights greater than four feet,” the Department of Labor said. …The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s office also has a pending investigation. 
MAINE — According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, multiple departments sustained damage to their fire trucks and equipment during the Searsmont incident, impacting departments that are already limited on resources. “Seeing the ploom of black smoke, it immediately puts a lump in your throat,” said Belmont Fire Chief Ron Harford, as he reflected on Friday’s fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber. In the aftermath of the Searsmont fire, the Belmont Fire Department is supporting injured firefighter Katherine Paige and navigating the loss of a critical tank truck. …”Searsmont’s going to be hugely affected because they’ve lost two of their immediate mutual aid town’s trucks, plus their tank truck,” said Harford. On top of that, Chief Harford says the department lost between $50 to $60 thousand worth of equipment that was on the truck. …”Mr. Cross [Fallen Firefighter Andrew Cross] is our biggest loss. He was a tremendous firefighter a tremendous person,” said Harford.
GEORGIA — Residents of a Port Wentworth neighborhood believe chemical dust from a nearby International Paper mill is causing health concerns and property damage. Many residents reported shared health symptoms, including sinus issues, burning eyes and coughing. Despite resident complaints and visible white powder on cars and homes, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division has not found the mill in violation of its permits. …The Savannah Morning News collected dust scraped off of one resident’s car about 700 feet from the mill and sent it to third-party lab Eurofins for testing. Eurofins stated that most of the sample was likely calcium carbonate, a white to tan odorless powder, a major component of lime mud. The International Paper mill generates lime mud, according to its operating permit. …The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) confirmed that the dust contained calcium, and narrowed down the likely culprit to the mill’s lime kiln.
Construction in New York City is one of the most dynamic and demanding industries in the country — but it’s also one of the most dangerous. …That’s why innovation in building materials and methods can have a real impact not only on efficiency and sustainability but also on safety. One such innovation, mass timber, is gaining traction. …Mass timber components are prefabricated in controlled factory settings. This approach greatly reduces the need for tasks like cutting, welding, or mixing concrete on-site — tasks that are commonly associated with jobsite injuries. …Additionally, since large panels arrive ready to install, crews spend less time working at height, which directly reduces the risk of falls — the leading cause of construction fatalities in the U.S., according to OSHA’s fall protection guidelines. …It also means a reduced need for powered hand tools and high-decibel equipment, lowering the risk of accidents related to hand injuries or communication breakdowns.
FRANCE — Wood pellets, commonly used in stoves and boilers in homes across France, can release carbon monoxide (CO) during storage even without being burned, reports the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES). Natural chemical reactions inside the pellets, particularly the oxidation of fatty acids in the wood, can cause them to heat up slightly and release gases without any combustion. In addition to carbon monoxide, stored pellets can emit other gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These processes can also reduce the amount of oxygen in the surrounding air. ANSES says these emissions are usually low and gradual – but tend to increase at higher temperatures. They decrease over time. The type of wood is a factor with, for example, pine pellets likely to emit more gases than spruce. Although the overall risk is limited.
New research has found that burning “smokeless” or low-smoke fuels may be causing new air pollution hazards on streets and in homes. Sold as alternatives to burning coal, wood and peat at home, tests reveal their smoke contains large quantities of tiny ultrafine particles, that can deposit themselves deep in our lungs. The findings were an accidental discovery while researchers were testing fuels in traditional and modern eco design stoves. As expected, burning alternative fuels, both smokeless coal ovoids and briquettes made from olive stones, produced less particle pollution compared with wood or coal. …For each kilogram burned, the low-smoke fuels produced between two and three times more ultrafine particles than wood or coal. …The size of the ultrafine particles means that they are deposited deep in the lungs, multiplying the health impact. In Dublin, the low smoke fuels accounted for more than half of ultrafine particles that can deposit in people’s lungs. 
Running along Brazil’s coastline, the Atlantic Forest supports an extraordinary range of life, including hundreds of species of birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and fishes. Much of that richness has been lost. Human development has reduced the forest to roughly one third of its original size. As people move deeper into once intact habitats, wildlife is pushed out, and mosquitoes that once fed on many different animals appear to be shifting their attention toward humans, according to a study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. …Scientists extracted DNA from the blood inside the mosquitoes and sequenced a specific gene that works like a biological barcode. …Mosquito bites are not just a nuisance. In the regions studied, mosquitoes spread viruses such as Yellow Fever, dengue, Zika, Mayaro, Sabiá, and Chikungunya.
That fading receipt in your wallet might be more of a problem than you think. For decades, the thermal paper industry, a market valued at around $2 billion, has relied on a chemical cocktail that includes Bisphenol A (BPA). Yes, that is the same BPA that parents worry about in baby bottles and water jugs. It mimics estrogen, messing with our hormones in ways we are only just beginning to understand. While regulators in the EU have cracked down on BPA, manufacturers can pivot to “alternatives” like Bisphenol S (BPS). It sounds different, but chemically, it is the same wolf in sheep’s clothing, exhibiting toxicological properties eerily similar to the villain it replaced. Now, in a new study, researchers have developed a safer, sustainable alternative to BPA-laden thermal paper using “washed” lignin from wood and sugar derivatives. The result is a receipt that prints clearly without disrupting your hormones.