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Canadian Forestry Accidents Too High

April 10, 2000

Seven workers have been killed in the woods in New Brunswick, Canada in the past year as a result of being hit by falling trees, cut by chainsaws or burned.

EHS Today Staff

An analysis by the New Brunswick Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) has pointed to a number of basic causes for these accidents.

"Unsafe working techniques, lack of protective equipment, lack of first aid knowledge and lack of supervision seem to be at the root of many serious accidents in the forest industry," said Brian Connell, vice-president of Prevention Services for WHSCC. "These accidents have predominantly affected the small operators, rather than large industry."

In order to reach the small operators, WHSCC has teamed up with the Federation of Woodlot Owners and the Department of Natural Resources (DNRE) on a joint initiative to increase the awareness, education and training for New Brunswick woodworkers.

"Proper training for small operators is an essential element for improving safety in the woods," said Dale Wilson of DNRE's Forestry Extension Services. "We hope that by working together, we'll help make this industry safer for our woodworkers."

A plan has been developed to establish an awareness and training program for woodworkers.

Among other things, WHSCC, along with the Maritimes Forest Ranger School, has developed a 20 minute video on safe working techniques, which will be distributed through the Federation of Woodlot Owners and forest products marketing boards, as well as through WHSCC. A whole series of educational material has also been developed and distributed to the industry.

"Our goal is to expand opportunities for workers to learn about safe cutting/logging operations before this year's harvesting season began," said Ken Hardie of the Federation of Woodlot Owners. "Ultimately, we'd like to have a sustainable development training program suitable for small operators. Logistically, these small operators are the hardest ones to reach in our forests and without proper training, they're at risk for injury."

WHSCC said the initiative is aimed at wood harvesters, contractors and woodlot owners, though we expect it will reach members of the general public who also undertake wood cutting activities, albeit on a smaller scale," concluded Connell.

For more information about the video or educational material related to the forest industry visit WHSCC Web site at www.whscc.nb.ca.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.