Category Archives: Special Feature

Are you looking to enhance your skills in the lumber and sawmill sector? Onboarding new employees that would benefit from formal education in the field? Are you seeking to provide your employees with essential business skills for professional development? BCIT is currently offering two Associate Certificates to help you: Industrial Wood Processing (IWP) and Business of Sawmilling (BOS). Both programs were developed with industry subject matter experts and informed by industry leaders to support upskilling and professional development for individuals in the lumber and sawmill sector. Each program is 1-year, delivered online and part-time to allow students to balance work and studies. The participants are new or existing employees in the North American lumber sector and are sponsored by their employers.

The BC Forest History Association is thrilled to welcome Don Pigott as our December Speaker Series guest! Don will share his expertise on the evolution of cone collection in British Columbia over the past century. With 50 years of experience, he’ll also highlight some of the seed-related projects that have shaped his career and the field of forestry. No forester is too young, old, inexperienced, or seasoned to learn something from Don!

About the Speaker: Don Pigott’s career spans decades of groundbreaking work in forestry and silviculture. During his 13 years at MacMillan Bloedel, he managed seed supply for reforestation, established seed orchards, and oversaw operational tree improvement programs. In 1982, Don founded Yellow Point Propagation Ltd., a private silviculture company providing comprehensive services, including cone and seed processing, and consulting for forestry projects across North America and Europe. For the past 16 years, Yellow Point Propagation has focused on gene conservation for whitebark pine, limber pine, alpine larch, and numerous other species, further cementing Don’s legacy as a pioneer in forestry innovation. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an expert with unparalleled insights into forestry’s past, present, and future.

2024 has been an interesting year on a number of fronts. More importantly, it marked BCFSC commemorating 20 years of service to the industry, where a number of Forest Safety News stories were shared over the course of the year through the lens of industry and staff reflecting on the forest industry’s journey to improving safety. The first theme shared in these stories related to acknowledging the history of the unacceptable number of injuries and work-related deaths. The second theme that emerged highlighted the efforts of industry pulling together to make dynamic and positive change.

These stories also highlighted that there were no easy solutions for improving industry’s safety performance. It came from leadership, the front lines and everywhere in between. It came from each one of you, starting with good safety management systems, good culture — trust, open communication, participative management — right through to training and supervision, supporting work practices and empowerment of workers and contractors. It required a commitment every day, on every block, with the felling of each tree to each load to every production and manufacturing process. 

As we look forward to the next 20 years, it’s important that we reflect on our journey and not forget why and how we got here and celebrate what we’ve collectively accomplished. Every person in our industry has a role to play in achieving our collective mission and together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of forestry workers across British Columbia.

Christine Gelowitz

It stings a little every time I read an article or comment online that mischaracterizes forest management in BC or the role of forest professionals. I imagine many forest professionals likely feel a similar way, because a career in forest management is not just a job; what we feel for the forest is both personal and professional. …years spent working in forestry only deepens our connection on both a personal and professional level. No wonder most forest professionals feel a deep sense of responsibility to defend and speak out about forests.

As a result of this passion, the hundreds of comments submitted in the recent registrant survey came as no surprise to me… Many expressed a desire to see FPBC combat misinformation and provide unbiased information on areas of public concern. Registrants also suggested public education campaigns about the state of the forest, forest management practices, and the role of forest professionals; and they suggested looking for ways for forest professionals to be engaged in respectful, informed debate about forest management policies and practices.

I couldn’t agree more. FPBC is working on these things, just not at the scale I believe many desire. There are clear limitations about how and what FPBC can advocate for, and there are practical limitations based on our staff size and budget; however, we will continue to have a voice in forests and there are ways we can work together to amplify it. …Code Standard 8, Professionalism, encourages forest professionals to promote public knowledge with truthful, accurate information on forestry matters. I urge all practising forest professionals to use their expertise and voice to help combat misinformation about forests and forest professionals today.

Russ Taylor (Russ Taylor Global) and Kevin Mason (ERA Forest Products Research) are hosting the Global Wood Summit in Vancouver this week. The event opened last night with a cocktail reception at the Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver followed by a reception for the more than 30 speakers and sponsors. Today’s agenda promises to be action packed with presentations focused on world markets for forest products. This morning’s panel will focus on Japan, China and the Southern Hemisphere, followed by Europe/Russia and the United States/Canada. The Tree Frog Forestry News is attending so check here for daily updates [Images by Helena Jehnichen]

In this special solo edition, John A. Brink tackles one of the most pressing issues in British Columbia today: the crisis in the BC forest industry. Drawing from his 60+ years of experience in the industry, John reflects on the unprecedented challenges facing the sector, stating, “I have never witnessed a more difficult time in the British Columbia forest industry.” Key highlights from this episode include:

• The Shift in Costs: John discusses how BC, once known for being the lowest cost producer of fibre and lumber, has now transitioned to being one of the highest-cost producers. He explains the underlying causes and the consequences of this shift on the local economies of the province.
• Understanding the Issues: A deep dive into the key factors driving the current crisis, including fluctuating Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) numbers, regulatory challenges, and the overall industry structure. The Role of Value-Added Manufacturing: John stresses the critical importance of value-added manufacturing in sustaining the BC forest industry, while outlining the two policies that have hindered its growth.
• A Bold Move: In a major development, John reveals his Letter of Intent to purchase sawmill operations and tenure from Canfor in Bear Lake, Fort St. John, Vanderhoof and Houston—an important step in addressing the industry’s challenges, revitalizing the industry in Northern BC and stimulating massive job growth in these regions.
• Future Outlook: John asks hard questions about the future of the industry and explores opportunities for recovery. He discusses his vision for creating 5,000 new jobs in the BC forest industry by focusing on long-term solutions.

Jason Krips

Like everyone else in Alberta, the forest industry was saddened by what happened in Jasper. …There is a conversation to be had and a way forward. Our association penned an opinion piece in the Edmonton Journal in October 2017. It said: “If you ask a professional forester where the next devastating fire might happen, they’d probably point to Hinton and Jasper. That’s because a massive pine beetle epidemic has killed much of the pine in Jasper National Park and is surging towards Hinton.” The article proceeded to talk about the value of managing our forests sustainably. It offered constructive solutions, like identifying and harvesting at-risk pine stands and regenerating them with younger forests. This is a concrete step we can take to safeguard our communities and environment.

We know that Indigenous communities have lived on these lands from time immemorial and have knowledge that is highly valuable, but underutilized. We know that our foresters are on the land every day and supplement their practical experience with a strong scientific and educational foundation. …What we should not do is impose top-down solutions that apply to very different land bases. One frustration I hear frequently in our industry and communities is that federal policy on items like management of our national parks or protection of species at risk is top-down, hard to implement at the ground level. …We all share the same goal of healthy landscapes within parks and thriving wildlife species. If this is the goal, the way to get there inevitably leads through conversations at the community level and more active management. …As an industry that lives in forest communities and is deeply tied to the land base, we are ready to have this conversation. The future of communities we love depends on it.

Murray Wilson

A solutions-based documentary to help save BC’s forests from devastating wildfires. Will you join us? British Columbia is facing an unprecedented crisis. Each year, wildfires of devastating proportions ravage our lands, destroy homes, and fill our skies with harmful smoke. It’s a wake-up call to the urgent need for change.

Our current wildfire management strategies are woefully inadequate. Despite the valiant efforts of firefighters, the scale and intensity of these fires have overwhelmed our capacity to control them. This documentary, led by Rick Maddison, a long-time Kelowna resident who lost his home to wildfire in 2003, seeks to uncover the root causes of this crisis. Through candid conversations with industry experts, professional foresters, and insiders, we will discover demonstrably proven strategies to mitigate out of control wildfires. This film is a journey into the heart of the fire, challenging the status quo and demanding accountability from those in power.

Our crowdfunding goal of $50,000 will enable us to produce a documentary that not only educates and informs but also mobilizes public opinion towards demanding action from the BC government. By contributing to our campaign, you’re taking a stand for a safer, more resilient British Columbia. Join us in this eye-opening discovery of innovative forest management suppression strategies which will help BC residents secure a better future for all.

You may need to click the video link below twice to make it play:

Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) is excited to share our “Year in Review” – a compilation of market development activities completed by FII and our many industry, association, government, academic and research partners over the past year. We are committed to a collaborative delivery approach, building on the strengths and shared resources that other organizations bring to this important work. This report summarizes not only the work of FII, but also the many organizations and programs that we contribute to and work closely with. Despite recent industry and market challenges, B.C.’s forest sector remains a significant contributor to our economy and a global leader in forest product exports. This is due in part to the progress made by the suite of programs supporting the evolution and diversification of the sector. In this report you will learn more about the range of work underway, and the milestones achieved over the past year. While market diversification efforts often take many years to pursue, it is valuable remind ourselves of the important work being done to support the sector. 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC), the health and safety association for the forest industry in BC. BCFSC has been working with industry over these past two decades to help create a skilled and safe workforce, where safety is integrated into every activity and operational process. There are now approximately 60 different training courses for forestry workers including faller training, supervisor training, incident investigation, resource road driver training and many other general forest industry courses. Over the last 20 years, 40,000 participants have engaged in training opportunities to BC forestry workers. BCFSC’s training programs have been developed with industry to support our collective efforts in creating awareness and improving the skills and knowledge of forestry workers from tree planters, hand-fallers, operators in mechanized harvesting, forest supervisors, wood products manufacturing workers.  These efforts have contributed significantly to the reduction of injuries and fatalities.

The BCFSC FIRS App is a FREE forms management mobile application designed to reduce the amount of safety-related paperwork and administrative work required in the field. The app can be used with both iOS or Android mobile devices and assists SAFE Certified companies in streamlining and consequently reducing the amount of safety-related paperwork and administrative work required in the field. The online forms portal supports record keeping requirements for small BC forestry employers and contractors in building and maintaining SAFE Company Certification. …The FIRS App also has a desktop dashboard to access information uploaded and saved from mobile devices and offers the option to download records in PDF format. The BCFSC FIRS App is available through the App store for Android and iOS devices. Just go to the App store on your device and search for BCFSC FIRS to download the FREE App.

In 2022, the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) and its members released a 10-point commitment to building a better world; chief among them was treating forest sector workers fairly, with the highest priority placed on their health and safety. We believe that safety and respect go hand-in-hand. Every day, WPAC members and their employees work tirelessly to ensure leading safety practices are implemented and embraced. We know we will be measured by our collective efforts as an industry. Our reputation and the trust of regulators, the general public and the families of our employees depend on this. …The BC Forest Safety Council’s ongoing participation in and support of our safety initiatives have been integral to WPAC’s success. It’s a positive and productive relationship that underpins our sector’s global reputation on safety. WPAC’s Safety Committee has anchored its vision in a yearly work plan that holds the association accountable to searching out new technologies and research to support a safer culture, communicating best practices and safety news, and collaborating across the country on all safety matters.

If you don’t take steps to protect your hearing, you’ll lose it. And there’s no getting it back. It’s important to think about what you can do to protect your ears and preserve your hearing – and to find out more about the signs of hearing loss to help determine if you or someone you love is experiencing it. …The first step in protecting your hearing is knowing what the damage threshold actually is. …As a good rule of thumb, if you have to shout to be heard, the noise around you is too loud and you’re risking your hearing health. Turn down the volume (and never turn the volume up past 60% when you’re using earphones or earbuds), take frequent breaks from noisy environments to give your ears a rest, and use hearing protection like earplugs or hearing protection earmuffs. Note that it’s important to insert foam earplugs correctly to ensure a proper seal.

Once a year, companies with a BC SAFE Companies certification or an Alberta Certificate of Recognition from the PIR I program must complete an audit….There are different kinds of safety audits, including internal audits, in which a company employee reviews the health and safety company program, and external audits, in which an outside auditor visits the company. Larger companies (including those over 20 employees in BC) must complete an external audit at least once every three years. Some large companies complete external audits every year. …Audit reports are submitted to the safety association (e.g. BC Forest Safety Council or Alberta Forest Products Association)… While audit reports are not used for conducting enforcement activities and do not include workers’ personal information, they are not subject to legal privilege. They could be reviewed in the future (such as after a serious incident) to determine if certain problems had been identified in the past and if the employer knew or should have known about the problem.

WorkSafeBC’s Planned Inspection Initiatives for Forestry Operations is a comprehensive prevention initiative that addresses workplace safety in BC forestry operations. The intent is to execute impactful WorkSafeBC inspections that focus on the risks that impact the serious injury rate and time-loss claims rate with a goal to: Raise awareness and promote adherence to safe work practices; and Reduce the serious injury and time-loss claims rates in forestry operations with the greatest risk exposure. These risks are linked to high-risk work activities… For a full view of the Forestry Planned Inspection Initiative and to help you better understand and address some of the health and safety issues for forestry workers, visit https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/what-we-do/worksafebc-planned-inspectional-initiatives/forestry

With last year’s wildfire season setting new, unprecedented records and this year predicted to follow suit, the respiratory hazards for frontline wildland firefighters have become a pressing concern. The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) has been at the forefront, not only in firefighting but also in pioneering research and developing equipment to protect their workers—a model that can extend to BC forestry workers.

On May 1, 2024, the British Columbia Forestry Safety Council (BCFSC) hosted a webinar titled “Mitigation Strategies for Wildfire Smoke and Other Respiratory Hazards in Wildland Firefighting.” and invited Drew Lichty, Occupational Hygienist at Canada Wildfire, and Steve Lemon, Provincial Safety & Wellbeing Officer to discuss the various respiratory hazards faced by wildland firefighters, the latest research findings on exposure levels and the mitigation strategies BCWS has implemented to control and reduce these exposures to help BC Forestry workers get a better understanding of the risks of wildfire smoke to respiratory health and how to mitigate the risks using PPE recommendations. This article provides an overview of the webinar.

Emergency drills are not just about racing a stopwatch and testing equipment. They involve developing skills, building confidence, finding new ways to improve emergency systems, and mitigating potential trauma with a calm and orderly response. …Section 32.2 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation requires employers to provide training and conduct simulated evacuation or rescue drills. For silviculture worksites, this can include extracting workers from clear-cuts with steep slopes or harvesting debris, effective use of emergency response vehicles, and water-rescue exercises among crews that regularly use boats to get to work. For seasonal operations such as tree planting camps, emergency drills should be conducted as early in the year as possible to ensure all workers are prepared to assist in a rescue from day one. …A key consideration is that the process is more important than the outcome. Identifying mistakes or discovering problems in emergency drills is one of the best possible learning outcomes … they are also important team-building exercises that help establish functional and positive lines of communication among workers. 

Access to economical timber throughout British Columbia has never been more challenging. The mid-term and long-term supply have been impacted by factors such as bark beetle infestations and large-scale wildfires throughout the interior. …This shift in operations has also resulted in the rapid adaptation and implementation of winch or traction-assist harvest systems. …However, placing more mechanized equipment onto steep slopes has also resulted in new hazards that industry must be adequately prepared for. In the fall of 2022, the BC Forest Safety Council, in partnership with industry members, initiated a three-part, multi-year project with a focus on documenting and introducing best practices for Steep Slope Emergency Preparedness within the timber harvesting sector.

The first phase of the project was the production of a three-part video series focusing on elements fundamental to emergency response planning and execution for steep slope harvesting operations. Two of the three videos in the series are now available on the BCFSC YouTube Channel and the third is currently in development.

Forestry worksites are busy, dynamic environments where multiple employers and contractors often perform sequential activities and a variety of tasks on one site. This necessitates a comprehensive safety management plan outlining the responsibilities employers, contractors and workers onsite. …When an owner engages multiple contractors for forestry operations, they must assign prime contractor duties to a qualified contractor or other party through a written agreement. The prime contractor is responsible for the coordination of health and safety activities for all employers and workers at the worksite. …Sub-contractors, too, play a critical role in maintaining a safe worksite. They must protect their workers’ health and safety and cooperate with the owner and prime contractor in coordinating health and safety activities at the worksite while also complying with regulatory requirements listed above.

Traditionally, when we talk about safety, we think of personal protective equipment (PPE) and policies to prevent physical harm. However, there’s another important but less visible aspect of safety that’s equally essential: psychological and cultural safety. These forms of safety are critical for fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, which in turn enhances workforce resiliency and retention. …At the recent BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) Convention in Vancouver, Louise Bender of Mosaic Forests and Jason Krips of the Alberta Forest Products Association introduced the Forest Sector EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Alliance, a collaborative effort to advance equity, diversity and, inclusion across Canada’s forest sector. …Psychological and cultural safety in the forest sector can be challenged by various barriers, including historical perceptions, language differences, and cultural misunderstandings. …Through strategic leadership, practical initiatives, and a strong commitment to psychological and cultural safety, Canada’s forest sector can lead the way in creating safe and inclusive workplaces for all.