Category Archives: Health & Safety

This newsletter includes:

• Protect your workers from heat stress: Heat stress is a common workplace risk in the summer months, and if not recognized and treated early can lead to serious illness. Employers are responsible for assessing work activities that could contribute to heat stress and for implementing controls to protect their workers.
• Regulatory update: Regulatory changes for occupational first aid come into effect on November 1, 2024. To help employers plan for implementation of these requirements, preliminary OHS Guidelines have been issued.
• A career with a difference: WorkSafeBC is looking for passionate leaders for Director-level positions that play pivotal roles in preventing workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths and supporting injured workers.

Starting next year, Metro Vancouver urban residents using unregistered indoor wood burning appliances such as fireplaces and wood stoves could face fines of up to $500. It’s not a ban on wood burning stoves, but part of the regional district’s plan to clear the air of harmful emissions by using certified appliances and best burning practices. “We are trying to establish an emission standard that allows for improvements in air quality and health, particularly in those more densely populated areas, whilst not prohibiting the use and enjoyment of wood burning appliances that people enjoy,” Julie Saxton, program manager for air quality regulation with Metro Vancouver said on Thursday. According to B.C. Lung, only five per cent of residents know they are required by law to register their indoor wood burning devices by September 2025. Because of this, Metro Vancouver staff have recommended that the region launch a fall campaign to remind people of the bylaw.

John Jacobsen and Dennis Brodie

The need to thin trees alongside the Campbell River Airport runway created a training opportunity. When it was learned that YBL needed select tree and brush removal adjacent to the runway areas, a connection was made between City Airport Manager Dennis Brodie and BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) course trainer John Jacobsen. A plan emerged that saw the Falling Supervisor course being hosted at the Campbell River Airport, and it has proven to be a win-win for safety. …BCFSC requires standing timber in a forested setting during two field days of training, where various manual tree-falling-related activities are demonstrated. In his role as an experienced tree faller and trainer, Jacobsen worked with Brodie to develop a falling safety plan that allowed course participants to spend the field days in areas in need of improved sightlines for approaching aircraft outside the fences at the airport. …For BCFSC, the convenience of the location is a key benefit. 

In January of 2012, the Babine Forest Products sawmill in Burns Lake suffered an explosion that resulted in the deaths of two workers while injuring 20 others. In April 2012, the Lakeland Mills sawmill in Prince George exploded, killing another two workers and injuring 22 more people. The investigations into these explosions found one culprit responsible: combustible dust. …B.C.’s management of combustible dust was the topic of the closing keynote presentation for the 2024 Global Dust Safety Conference, which took place earlier this year. The presentation, “Upcoming release process for the proposed British Columbia regulations for combustible dust. Why they are needed and what it means for industries in B.C.,” was presented by Rodney Scollard, senior policy and legal advisor, and Mike Tasker, CRSP occupational safety officer with WorkSafeBC. …While the focus of WorkSafeBC has understandably been on regulations related to combustible wood dust, the proposed regulations would expand the types of dusts within the regulations.

In the June edition of the BC Forest Safety Council News, you’ll find these articles and more:

• Preparing BC Forestry Workers for Wildfires
• How Workplaces Can Prepare for Wildfire Season
• Forestry Employers Need to Get Ready for New First Aid Requirements
• 20 Years of Forestry Safety
• Spotlight on Safety: Nominate a Champion of Safety from your Organization
• 2024 Interior Safety Conference – Safety at Work: Inside and Out
• Use the BCFSC FIRS App and Streamline Your Audit Submission
• Validation Session on Faller Practical Field Assessment
• Resource Road Driver Internal Training – PROGRAM UPDATE
• BCFSC Improves Both Faller Safety and Airport Safety
• BCFSC Safety Alerts Keep Industry Informed
• Wildfire Smoke and Your Health

Ashley Berard, a PhD candidate at the University of Victoria is calling for better mental health support for B.C. residents coping with the trauma of wildfires. Berard is studying the social impact of disasters and found that many people in wildfire-affected communities have heightened feelings of anxiety and depression, an overwhelming sense of grief and loss, and increased stress about smoke inhalation. Of the 35 people she interviewed in communities in B.C’s Interior such as Kamloops and Lytton, only one said they were receiving counselling. The interview subjects included those who lost their homes to fire, evacuees, and some people experiencing adverse health impacts from wildfire smoke. She said a common thread in the interviews was financial stress, such as having difficulty navigating insurance or resources to help rebuild their houses, and the concern about not being able to afford counselling for mental health issues and trauma.

A University of Victoria researcher is calling for more mental health support for firefighters and victims of wildfires ahead of what could be another severe fire season in B.C. “It’s time to start the conversation about what the ongoing impact of climate change and wildfires is doing to people, emotionally and mentally,” said Ashley Berard, a PhD candidate in the Sociology Department, in a news release. Berard, who is studying the social impact of natural disasters, will present findings and recommendations at the upcoming Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences in Montreal starting 12 June. After speaking with people who live in small rural communities and cities such as Lytton and Kamloops, she said she consistently uncovered heightened feelings of anxiety and depression, an overwhelming sense of grief and loss, and increased stress related to possible physical effects of smoke inhalation.

Residents and long-weekend travellers are asked to plan ahead, be FireSmart and stay safe this Victoria Day long weekend. Wildfires near Fort Nelson and the Fort Nelson First Nation resulted in early season evacuation orders and alerts for several northeastern communities in the region. Visitors should avoid the Fort Nelson area at this time. Highway 97 remains closed in both directions around Fort Nelson. For the latest road conditions and updates, visit: https://www.drivebc.ca This time of year, most new wildfires are preventable, and people are being asked to use caution and take steps to be more prepared this weekend. Throughout the province, people are encouraged to stay up to date on current wildfire activity and check for road closures, evacuation alerts and orders, weather conditions and follow instructions from local governments or First Nations. Several open-burning prohibitions are also in place around the province and are updated as conditions change.

Fatigue puts workers at a greater risk of sustaining injuries from hazards at work. WorkSafeBC’s information sheet Managing the risk of fatigue in the workplace provides guidance for employers and workers. “This resource represents a shift in thinking about fatigue in the workplace,” says Jenny Colman, an ergonomist with WorkSafeBC. “While we once saw fatigue as the hazard, we now think of it in terms of a contributory factor that can increase the risk of harm or potential for harm from work being performed. Therefore, higher protections need to be in place around the tasks performed by a worker who is tired.” Fatigue can make it difficult to concentrate, especially when it comes to tasks that require quick reactions, alertness, and vigilance. Recalling information and making decisions may be impeded, particularly when time is of the essence and complex information processing and comprehension is involved. …Irregular shift rotations can also amplify these effects.

If you are feeling anxious about the warm dry weather and lack of rain across the province, imagine what it feels like to be a B.C. wildfire fighter. Front-line workers are training for a volatile fire season and the physical and emotional demands are gruelling. CBC’s Shelley Joyce spoke to people about the stress those on the front lines face.

BRITISH COLUMBIA – Alex Lane’s wildland firefighting career began in May 2015, and on her second day, Lane was called to a large, complex fire. …”I really enjoyed the pace, the demand, the challenge,” she said. But during a slower fire season few years later, her mental health took a turn and she started having panic attacks at work. …Now, the B.C. Wildfire Service and other agencies are working to make sure wildland firefighters have mental health supports ready and available year round. Lane’s experience is not unusual, according to David Greer, B.C. Wildfire Service director of strategic engagement and partnerships. …Greer said the wildfire service is trying to be proactive about staff mental health; in spring 2023, the province launched an online training program for firefighters to help with managing stress and anxiety.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report into an emergency forced landing of an Air Tractor AT-802A aircraft, operated by Conair Group Inc., south of Cranbrook, British Columbia. On August 2, 2022, the firefighting aircraft, equipped with amphibious floats, was conducting aerial operations in the area of Connell Ridge, the site of multiple wildfires, when it sustained a loss of engine power. Unable to restore power, the pilot … completed an emergency landing in the trees, coming to rest approximately 200 m from the edge of the forest fire. The aircraft was substantially damaged by impact forces. The pilot, who was the sole occupant on board, sustained minor injuries. Firefighting aircraft must operate at low altitudes to fight forest fires effectively. At such low levels, recovery from an aircraft malfunction becomes extremely challenging. In such a situation, a pilot’s decision making and reaction time are critical for a successful outcome.

WorkSafeBC will be holding a virtual public hearing on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The virtual hearing will cover proposed changes to the following parts of the OHS Regulation: Part 6, Substance Specific Requirements — Combustible Dusts. The virtual public hearing will be streamed live on May 14, 2024, in two sessions. The first will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second from 3 to 5 p.m. We welcome your feedback on the proposed amendments. All feedback received will be presented to WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors for their consideration. You can provide feedback online or by email, or register to speak at the hearing by phone.

Over 100 people from across Canada participated in the online Drum Dryer Symposium on April 4, 2024, to hear from producers and subject matter experts on their learnings and experiences, the current state, and new approaches to drum dryer safety. The Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) hosted the event in collaboration with the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) and Canadian Biomass, the Media Sponsor. One of the symposium’s outcomes was establishing a Drum Dryer Working Group. Over the next year, the group will work collaboratively to examine trends, identify opportunities for improvement, and formulate recommendations. Resources will be created and shared to help support the continuous improvement of drum dryers and enhance the sector’s safety culture. Julie Griffiths, Chair of WPAC’s Safety Committee and Quality, Sustainability, and Environmental Program Coordinator with Shaw Renewables, moderated the session. She opened by showing the video Best Practices for Managing Combustible Gas.

On April 28, workers, families, and employers will gather at commemorative ceremonies across the province to honour the 175 B.C. workers who lost their lives last year due to workplace injury and disease. When you lose a loved one, the pain never goes away. Join us as we reflect on those we’ve lost, and renew our commitment to creating healthy and safe workplaces for everyone. Whether you’re an employer, supervisor, prime contractor, or worker, you have a role to play in keeping the workplace safe. A public Day of Mourning ceremony will take place at Jack Poole Plaza in downtown Vancouver on Sunday, April 28th at 10:30 a.m., with the Olympic Cauldron being lit in honour of the day. A livestream of the event will be available at dayofmourning.bc.ca. For a list of ceremonies taking place around the province, please visit dayofmourning.bc.ca.

In manufacturing more fires are happening because of power tool batteries, especially the lithium-ion type. Understanding the risk is important for all workers so they can stay safe while working. Workers must understand the risks, particularly related to thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries, which can lead to fires, explosions, and harmful gas release. Factors like overcharging or exposure to extreme heat can trigger this dangerous chain reaction. Following strict safety protocols is crucial for handling battery-powered equipment. IMPORTANT TAKE AWAY: Workers must remain vigilant and follow necessary precautions when handling battery-powered equipment to mitigate heightened fire risks from power tool batteries.