Category Archives: Special Feature

With roughly 2,000 wildfires in B.C. each year, forestry workers are often operating in or near fire-affected areas. It’s up to employers to ensure their crews are properly trained and prepared to recognize the risks and respond safely. …Employers are responsible for identifying hazards, assessing risks, and ensuring effective controls are in place — along with providing training, supervision, and fit-for-use equipment.

“The key is planning,” says Budd Phillips, Prevention Field Services Manager at WorkSafeBC. “Employers must not only put the right controls in place but also ensure they’re working and adjust them when needed. This process is most effective when workers are properly supervised and actively involved.” …Employers should also monitor air quality levels and adjust work practices or reschedule outdoor work, if necessary, to minimize exposure. One useful tool is the IATSE Local 891 wildfire smoke exposure app, developed to help employers and workers assess air quality risk levels and develop exposure control plans. The app pulls data from local air quality monitoring stations and is used by WorkSafeBC to support field officers in assessing potential smoke exposure.

In 2025, WorkSafeBC inspections focus on smoke exposure, heat stress, danger tree management, and evacuation readiness, in collaboration with the BC Wildfire Service and Ministry of Forests. Resources include the B.C. Wildfire Service app and WorkSafeBC’s FAQ page on wildfire smoke.

New film reveals the roots of B.C.’s wildfire crisis—and what we must do to stop it. A powerful new documentary exploring the causes and consequences of British Columbia’s escalating wildfire crisis will premiere to the public at the Mary Irwin Theatre in Kelowna on Tuesday, June 24 at 7:00 pm and at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre Thursday June 26 at 7:00 pm. Titled B.C. is Burning, the 45-minute film delivers a sobering but hopeful look at what’s fueling today’s megafires—and the science-based solutions that could protect our forests, our communities, and our future. B.C. is Burning was independently produced and funded through community support, with Homestead Foods generously contributing half of the total budget. We also gratefully acknowledge major support from Skyline Helicopters, Padoin Reforestation, and Kalesnikoff.

The film was produced and written by retired forester Murray Wilson and initiated by Associate Producer Rick Maddison, who played a key role in fundraising.

In recent years we have seen an increase in the unpredictable nature of summer weather conditions. Recently BC broke numerous heat records due to a heat dome which led to an unprecedented number of heat related illnesses and fatalities. People who work outdoors can often be at the highest risk for heat-related illnesses and injuries during hot summer conditions. High temperatures and sunshine can be a wonderful thing when enjoying time at the lake or on the beach but can cause serious health issues. The wide variety of job roles and often rigorous physical activity in forestry can put workers at risk for heat-related illness if not managed properly.

British Columbia is world renowned for its incredible wilderness landscape, mountains, rivers, lakes and forests. It’s a great place to live, work and play. Our forests are regionally diverse – from coastal and interior rainforests, dry belt pine and fir forest and higher elevation spruce and balsam, old growth and new growth – they all have one thing in common … trees! Whether working or playing, it is essential to be aware of a forest’s potential hazards and what can put you at risk, specifically as it relates to the trees. …“If a tree falls in the forest, does anyone hear?” … only if someone is near enough to hear. The same applies to the danger it may pose. If no one is near it, then even if it falls, it isn’t a danger to anyone. Spend enough time in a forest and you will witness a tree fall over on its own.

Building a strong safety culture begins with consistent, meaningful conversations. The BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) and the Manufacturing Advisory group have partnered to provide weekly Manufacturing Safety Crew Talks and Safety Alerts with timely, relevant safety topics to kick start your safety conversations. These weekly resources are simple yet powerful tools to help keep safety conversations alive and evolving in your workplace. BCFSC offers a library of hundreds of Crew Talks each designed to support short, focused safety discussions in five minutes or less. They support effective supervisor-worker engagement, helping spark meaningful conversations about current safety procedures and concerns.

Working in forestry can be challenging, not just physically, but psychologically as well. That’s why WorkSafeBC is advising forestry employers and workers about the importance of paying attention to psychological health and safety. Managing psychological health and safety in the workplace is as important as managing physical health and safety. A psychologically healthy and safe workplace prevents harm to workers’ mental health and promotes mental well-being. While many factors outside the workplace can affect mental health, it is an employer’s responsibility to address the factors that are within the control, responsibility, or influence of the workplace. Psychological health and safety involves how people interact with each other daily, how working conditions and management practices are structured, and how decisions are made and communicated. In the forestry sector, workers face unique psychological challenges, including financial stress from an unstable market, job instability, social isolation, and the impact of climate change and severe weather conditions.

As work activity increases across British Columbia, ensuring your team is properly trained is more important than ever. Whether you’re onboarding new employees or supporting a seasoned crew, the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) offers a wide range of training resources to help workers understand how to perform their jobs safely and confidently.

Explore Our Training Options

1. Online Learning Centre: Over 40 free, self-paced courses are designed for workers and companies in BC’s harvesting and wood fibre manufacturing sectors. New courses are added regularly—check the Course Catalogue for the latest offerings.

2. In-Person Training: Join our instructor-led sessions this Fall and Winter 2025. These courses offer subject matter expert instruction, peer-to-peer interaction and printed materials.

3. Worker Assessments: Ensure your team is job-ready with our industry-developed assessment tools. Supervisors can use these to verify workers have the knowledge, skills and attributes to do their job safely and productively.
4. Webinars

Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere—but in BC’s forestry industry, where remote locations and difficult terrain are becoming more commonplace, being prepared isn’t optional. It’s essential. Having a well-thought-out and thoroughly tested Emergency Response Plan (ERP) can make all the difference… WorkSafeBC mandates that employers should be prepared for an emergency as part of their regulatory and legal compliance. Companies are required to create site-specific ERPs related to their operations and need to consider and prepare for various emergency situations. They are also required to conduct regular emergency and first aid drills as part of their annual drill requirements to ensure workers understand their roles and responsibilities. As forestry operations in BC move into more remote and rugged areas, getting help to an injured worker quickly can be a serious challenge. …To help companies build stronger ERPs—especially when it comes to worker extraction—the BC Forest Safety Council and the Trucking and Harvesting Advisory Group created a video series.

Resource roads are built to develop and protect BC’s natural resources. They provide access for industrial and recreational users but are not constructed to the same standards as highways. All resource road users play a key role in ensuring safe passage on these roads. Always exercise caution and have an understanding of the risks. Most resource roads have gravel surfaces and are often single lanes with limited visibility due to roadside brush and sharp, winding turns and curves. They often have soft shoulders, minimal ditches, steeper grades, changing road surfaces with loose or rough gravel and potholes. Drivers should always read and understand the signs at the start of the road and along the way as they provide important information about the road, radio channel, restrictions, expected traffic and other hazards and obstacles you may encounter while driving.

Employers must follow safety protocols, ensure proper hearing protection, and regularly monitor noise levels. Forestry workers in BC are frequently exposed to high levels of noise, often for extended periods, which can result in serious hearing damage. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is not just a long-term risk, it’s a fast-growing occupational disease that affects workers across the province. Over the past decade, WorkSafeBC has accepted almost 2,000 claims for hearing loss in the forestry sector. To prevent hearing loss, employers in the forestry sector must proactively recognize risks and understand the specific tasks workers will undertake, making pre-work planning a key step in injury prevention. The impact of noise on hearing “The risk of hearing loss depends on both noise level and exposure time,” says Sasha Brown, an occupational audiologist with WorkSafeBC. “For example, brief exposure to extremely loud noise or sustained exposure to moderate levels can be equally damaging to hearing.”

Sharing safety innovations is vital for sawmills and wood fibre manufacturing because it encourages a spirit of continuous safety improvement. By exchanging ideas and practical solutions, we collectively reduce risks and foster a culture of continuous improvement, where the well-being of every worker is front and centre. The BC Forest Safety Council, in collaboration with the Manufacturing Advisory Group (MAG), encourage companies to share their safety innovation ideas to reinforce a shared commitment to industry-wide safety excellence. This Safety Innovation initiative is designed to ensure that safety remains a top priority as the industry evolves. Safety innovations are typically developed by workers who have identified an area of concern.

The frequency and magnitude of fall and winter storms characterized by heavy rainfall and high winds seem to be increasing. A recent BC Hydro survey finds that 3 in 5 British Columbians say the worst fall/winter storm they have ever experienced has been within the past 5 years. BC Hydro data shows that severe weather events in the last 3 to 5 years have led to some of the most damaging storms in BC Hydro’s history. BC’s forest health aerial surveys show that the area of windthrown timber in 2021 (12,600+ ha) was 3 times the average over the last decade. Wind events pose significant risks to people working on and traveling to and from woodlots and community forests. This bulletin provides licensees, managers and workers with guidance and resources they can use to plan and conduct operations that minimize risk of injury to workers during those events.

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) remain one of the most common and costly types of workplace injuries in BC’s forestry sector. These injuries, which affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints, often result from repetitive motion, overexertion, awkward postures or prolonged physical strain. Given the physically demanding nature of forestry work, addressing MSI risks is essential to protecting worker health and maintaining productivity. By implementing ergonomic practices, promoting proper body mechanics and fostering a culture of early reporting and prevention, employers and workers can work together to significantly reduce the occurrence and impact of MSIs across the industry. Although musculoskeletal injuries can affect workers across all areas of forestry, certain roles are particularly vulnerable due to the physical demands and repetitive nature of their tasks.

Steep slope harvesting (SSH) enables forestry operations on challenging and often hazardous terrain, allowing access to valuable timber resources. But with this access comes increased risk. From equipment instability to terrain hazards, safe operations on steep ground require a clear understanding of the work environment and strong mitigation strategies. Steep slope harvesting can be approached in several ways, each with its own set of challenges and safety considerations. …Steep slope harvesting presents significant risks, but with careful planning, proper equipment, and a culture of safety, these risks can be managed. “Safety is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process that requires daily attention,” says Pawlowski. “By consistently prioritizing hazard assessment, equipment suitability, proper setup, and staying in the clear, employers and workers can minimize risks and help ensure that steep slope harvesting remains a safe and effective method of timber harvesting.”

BC Forest Safety Council Safety Advisors help forestry employers and employees achieve their safety goals. By visiting worksites, they provide invaluable insights and practical guidance for implementing effective safety procedures and maintaining safe work practices to ensure workplaces meeting SAFE Certification audit requirements but also fostering a culture of safety by minimizing risks and enhancing the well-being of everyone on site. This article provides some of the top recommendations from recent site visits to help keep your workplace safe and efficient.

Back in 2013, the Coast Harvesting Advisory Group (CHAG) identified phase congestion as a priority at the request of coastal contractors who had become concerned about practices that could negatively impact worker safety when logging phases were not properly managed and became too close together or “stacked” for a variety of reasons including production pressures, poor planning, permit or other unexpected delays. Here again in 2025, phase congestion has become a heightened concern as forestry operations are scrambling to produce in the face of uncertainty which could lead to dangerous situations for workers. History has proven that during uncertain times, productivity becomes the main driver, not for all contractors, but for some, and safety can be put on the backburner which puts everyone at risk, even those who put safety first.