Category Archives: Health & Safety

As B.C.’s wildfire season kicks off, experts are concerned about wildfires converging with COVID-19 and decreasing air quality, making people more vulnerable to the virus. The worst COVID-19 cases cause pneumonia, and air pollution increases the risk of pneumonia and the likelihood of the infection becoming fatal, said Michael Bauer, an air quality expert and professor at UBC’s School of Population and Public Health. Wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation and alter immune function. Pollutants can also degrade cells that help filter air in our respiratory tracks, Bauer explained, which can make one more susceptible to respiratory infections like pneumonia. …A nation-wide study in the United States found higher levels of air pollution were associated with higher death rates from COVID-19.

WorkSafeBC recognizes the challenges the forest industry has faced in the months leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic and the exacerbating effect that the outbreak has on this industry. We will continue to support this industry by reaching out to forestry workers, employers, and industry associations to ensure their worksites are healthy and safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. Prevention officers are providing information to workers and employers through worksite inspections focusing on the controls that the employer can use to limit exposure, including maintaining distance between workers and ensuring adequate hygiene facilities. We are continuing to engage in inspection, consultation, and education activities within the forestry sector to ensure everyone in the workplace is fulfilling their obligations. WorkSafeBC’s Preventing exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace provides general information that all employers may use to assess the risks and controls in their workplace.

As challenges caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to shift, the B.C. government and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer (PHO), are taking unprecedented measures to slow transmission of COVID-19. In support of these efforts, the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) and Manufacturing Advisory Group (MAG) have developed resources for employers and workers that will ensure all necessary precautions are being taken to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission and illness to forest sector employees. The resources reflect industry best practices and incorporate BC Provincial Health Agency and WorkSafeBC requirements to ensure the forest industry is taking the necessary steps to help contain the spread of COVID-19. The safety of forest industry workers remains our top priority.

More than 200 N-95 masks were donated to Williams Lake front-line workers in need of personal protective equipment by West Fraser. West Fraser Lumber mill donated its small quantity of N95 masks for employee operational health and safety requirements last week. “We are in unprecedented times and are aware of the pressing need to support the equipment needs of front-line health professionals,” spokesperson Tara Knight said. “Mayor Walt Cobb made a request our mill was able to donate additional inventory beyond expected operational needs that could be given to front-line workers in need of personal protective equipment.” …West Fraser Knight said hopes these additional masks make a positive difference to the hardworking team at Cariboo Memorial Hospital.

VANCOUVER—The year has been off to a calamitous start, and a devastating wildfire season might be the last thing people want to think about during the coronavirus pandemic, but experts say smoke from wildfires could make things worse. …Wildfire smoke contains tiny particulates known as PM2.5 that can embed deep into lungs and lead to a host of negative health effects, according to the World Health Organization. “Deterioration in air quality may lead to more COVID-19 infections overall … (and) more cases of severe COVID-19 infections and add further demand to our health care system,” according to a March 26 advisory from B.C.’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. …Many studies have shown that respiratory health effects of air pollution include increased mortality, increased asthma attacks, wheezing, chest tightness and irritation of the eye, nose and throat.

As challenges caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to shift, the B.C. government and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer (PHO), are taking unprecedented measures to slow transmission of COVID-19. In support of these efforts, the BC Forest Safety Council and Manufacturing Advisory Group have developed resources for employers and workers that will ensure all necessary precautions are being taken to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission and illness to forest sector employees. The resources reflect industry best practices and incorporate BC Provincial Health Agency and WorkSafeBC requirements to ensure the forest industry is taking the necessary steps to help contain the spread of COVID-19. The safety of forest industry workers remains our top priority. Information is changing rapidly and will be updated regularly.

Regional governments and the Province have brought in restrictions on burning, to help those with respiratory conditions during the current pandemic. The COVID-19 situation is forcing the wider community to think about respiratory health. For some who live with ongoing conditions though… They point to difficulties in breathing posed by slash burning of wood waste or the continuing practice of residents using wood-burning stoves. The Record contacted Mosaic Forest Management (TimberWest), which operates in the region, about slash burning. A company spokesperson said Mosaic is not burning in the region this spring and rarely does, adding there are no plans to do so until October. As well, the Ministry of Forests…responded, “The BC Wildfire Service is monitoring the COVID-19 situation to determine whether it could have an impact on prescribed burning, wildfire risk mitigation projects, open burning and any related open fire restrictions.”

Jayme & Ryan Johnson

PORT ALBERNI, BC — The wife of a logger seriously injured on the job now considers the accident a “godsend.” Ryan Johnson, a faller, injured his back in the woods near Campbell River March 12 when a large tree struck him in the lower back, shattering part of his spine. He was initially flown to North Island Hospital in Campbell River before being transferred to Vancouver General, where he underwent back surgery the next morning. …“By chance, they found a large mass next to his adrenal gland,” said Ryan’s wife, Jayme Johnson. “It is so large they need to get it out as soon as possible.” …In retrospect, the falling accident was almost a godsend, she said.

The most important step we can take to prevent infection or illness for ourselves, our families, friends and co-workers is to practice good basic hygiene and take simple precautions. This is critical whether it is the flu, the common cold, or the current risk of COVID-19 (also known as the coronavirus). The transmission of any virus threat will be stopped if everyone takes the proper precautions for their own protection. In doing so, we also protect others by reducing the probability of secondary transmission. Here are some guidelines and tips to help you stay healthy and safe:

• Wash your hands frequently

• Maintain social distancing

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

• Practice respiratory hygiene

• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care

• Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider

West Kelowna RCMP have determined that a suspicious package found at the Gorman Bros. Lumber mill yesterday morning was not dangerous. RCMP attended the business at about 8:30 a.m. after employees found the package which was addressed to a specific employee.  Due to the nature of the package, RCMP requested assistance from the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit who then determined the package was not criminal in nature. …”The package contained items returned to us from a former employee, and when followed on by the RCMP, the former employee was regretful and said that there was no intention to create the elevated response that occurred.”

WESTBANK, BC — Employees discovered a strange package addressed to a specific employee outside of the Gorman Bros. Lumber mill this morning. “An unusual package was left outside the front office door addressed to someone in management,” says Gorman Group CEO Nick Arkle.  “As a precaution, we asked the RCMP to attend our site and address the package. Although we may be overly cautious in this case, our number one priority is for the protection and safety of our employees.” RCMP have since cordoned off the area while officers wait for the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit to attend. They will then determine if the package is a threat.

The forest industry needs to get ahead of the next crisis in safety. We need to predict injuries and proactively respond. One way is to look at how workers are getting hurt and to assess and respond to all recordable injuries, including minor injuries. But what about those incidents that had potential to be much more serious but where no one was actually hurt? Do we go far enough to identify and investigate these events – where a life-altering injury or fatality was thankfully dashed? Or do we spend our time and resources investigating incidents where the worst possible outcome was only the relatively minor injury that actually occurred? For years, the forest industry has paid close attention to the Medical Incident Rate (MIR) as well as the recordable injuries that contribute to this statistic. However, some Manufacturing Advisory Group (MAG) companies are looking at different ways to prioritize safety resources, based on Significant Incident Failure Potential events.

The Wood Pellet Association of Canada’s Safety Committee was established in 2014 with the mission of improving the wood pellet industry’s collective safety performance, earning a reputation with regulatory authorities and the public as an industry that is highly effective at managing safety, and learning and sharing best practices regarding safety. The Safety Committee is proud of its 2019 accomplishments… We have now released our 2020 work plan as part of our objective to hold our industry publicly accountable for our safety performance. WPAC’s Safety Committee works in close cooperation with WorkSafeBC and the BC Forest Safety Council.

Outdoor groups interested in funding opportunities to improve off-road riding conditions and safety can once again apply to the Off-road Vehicle (ORV) Trail Fund. The funding is intended to improve the sustainability and quality of outdoor motorized vehicle opportunities for B.C. residents and visitors. The total available funding in 2020 is $200,000, with 25% of the money set aside for safety promotion and 75% marked for construction and maintenance. Requests for funding from $1,000 to $20,000 will be considered. …This is the third year for the funding program. Future planned yearly disbursements will be between $100,000 and $250,000 per year, depending on the growth of the fund.