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
- 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 that typically fall into five areas of operations:
- Manual tree falling
- Log transportation
- Cable yarding
- Mechanized harvesting (primary focus will be on steep slope and tethered/winch-assist operations)
- Silviculture
Other operations such as shake block cutting and dry land sorting are also part of the considerations due to the increasing injury rates in these operations.
The primary areas of focus for the initiative are based on risk and claims data. They are:
- Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in silviculture, shake/shingle, log hauling
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Struck-by logs, debris and line cable
- Struck by mobile equipment
- Equipment rollover due to the loss of stability in steep slope mechanical harvesting
- Noise exposure
Manual Tree Falling: A dedicated inspection team will focus on employers who are involved in manual tree falling and supervision to ensure that workers and employers have appropriately assessed the risks, implemented controls to safely manage these risks and ensure the work is adequately supervised. More information on site inspections for manual falling operations can be found on the WorkSafeBC website.
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