Forestry worksites are busy, dynamic environments where multiple employers and contractors often perform sequential activities and a variety of tasks on one site. Activities such as harvesting, road construction, tree-planting and fire management can all occur simultaneously and necessitate a comprehensive safety management plan outlining the responsibilities employers, contractors and workers onsite.

According to the Workers Compensation Act, the owner of a forestry worksite has possession or control of the workplace. The worksite owner, typically a licensee or tenure holder, has a duty to ensure the activities of every employer and worker are coordinated, and that the health and safety of all individuals on site are safeguarded through coordinated efforts.

The Role of the Prime Contractor:

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. Without a designated prime contractor, the worksite owner is the prime contractor by default.

Prime contractors are required to comply with the Workers Compensation Act and OHS Regulations and are required to:

• conduct risk assessments
• develop safe work procedures
• provide training and supervision
• monitor and inspect work practices
• report and investigate incidents
• implement corrective actions

Prime contractors must also maintain open lines of communication with other contractors, workers, worksite representative(s) and the health and safety committee to ensure a unified understanding of everyone’s roles, potential hazards, and the safety measures are established and in place.

Sub-Contractor Responsibilities

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.

By implementing their respective duties, worksite owners, prime contractors and sub-contractors safeguard workers and the worksite environment. This collective effort fosters a proactive safety culture to help get every worker home safe, every day.  

To understand the responsibilities and requirements for worksite safety, access these resources and checklists on the BCFSC website.

• Prime Contractor Resources
• Contractor Forms and Checklists
• Site Planning and Hazard Assessments
• Phase Congestion