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.

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.

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.