This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.

WorkSafeBC

banner image

Injury Prevention Resources for Forestry - General

Falling & Bucking | Yarding & Skidding | Log Hauling | Silviculture/Tree Planting | Resource Roads | General


The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the forestry industry. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.

Forestry Compliance - Field Officer Guides  new

These info flips are for WorkSafeBC officers to use as guides in their inspectional work. Interested stakeholders may also use the information in the guides to assist them in carrying out their occupational health and safety roles and responsibilities.

Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Book One (PDF 401 kb)
* Book Two (PDF 353 kb)

Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution

B.C. Faller Training Standard BK96  new

These info flips provide a condensed version of information from the new faller training standard, and are an update of the old Fallers' and Buckers' Handbook. Useful for a new or experienced faller, the documents' 40 sections provide information on clothing and personal protective equipment, protection from musculoskeletal injury, chainsaw maintenance, filing and handling information, crew transport, dangerous tree indicators, procedures for dealing with various falling scenarios, alternative falling methods, limbing, adverse weather, bucking hazards, and windthrow.

Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Part One (PDF 1 MB)
* Part Two (PDF 1 MB)

Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

Setting the Standard: Helicopter Logging (Video)

This video focuses on hillside and log landing hazards, correct procedures, and safety standards. (17 min 14 s)

Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Free download or order a copy.

Logging Safety Awareness (Video)

Safety is the most important aspect of every job in the forest industry. This video features the day-to-day elements of on-the-job safety. The three areas covered are: safe work procedures, communications, and emergencies. (11 min 01 s)
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Free download or order a copy.

A Hantavirus Exposure Control Program for Employers and Workers BK74

This booklet is intended for employers and workers who may come into contact with rodents, or rodent droppings, while on the job. It contains guidelines for employers on preventing hantavirus infections and putting in place an exposure control program (ECP) to minimize potential worker exposure to rodents, or rodent droppings, contaminated with hantavirus. It also contains sample work procedures that employers can adapt to their specific work situations.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (254 KB)
Updated: October 2006

WCB Standards - G600 Series

The G600 Series of Standards are available for reference. If you require further information, please contact the Engineering Section, Investigations Division. Phone: (604) 276-3100 in the Lower Mainland or toll-free 1-888 621-7233.

Application of G600 Series of Standards
WCB Standard: G601 Log Loader and Log Yarder Backstops
WCB Standard: G602 Log Loader and Log Yarder Raised Cabs
WCB Standard: G603 Log Loader and Log Yarder Window Guards
WCB Standard: G604 Light-Duty Screen Guards For Off-Highway Equipment
WCB Standard: G605 Boom Boat Equipment Half-Doors
WCB Standard: G606 Boom Boat Operator Protective Structures
WCB Standard: G607 Medium Duty Screen Guard (Front End Log Loader)
WCB Standard: G608 Mobile Equipment Roof Structures - Heavy Duty
WCB Standard: G609 Mobile Equipment Roof Structures - Light Duty

WCB Standards - Personal Protective Equipment

The following WCB Standards on Personal Protective Equipment are available for reference. If you require further information, please contact the Engineering Section, Prevention Division. Phone: (604) 276-3100 in the Lower Mainland or toll-free 1-888 621-7233.

WCB Standard: PPE 1 - 1997 Leg Protective Devices
WCB Standard: PPE 2 High Visibility Garment - Personal Protective Equipment Standard 2

Training of Workers with Respect to Bears

This document provides: general information about bears, how to avoid bears, bear sightings, bear attacks, how to control bears, camps, wildlife procedures checklist, reference sources, training and safe work procedures.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (848 KB)

Other valuable information can be found here:

Fatigue Survey of BC Truck Drivers (Summary)

"Between July and August of 2005 a survey was conducted by WorkSafeBC to measure the impact of fatigue on BC truck drivers. Surveys were distributed and collected at truck stops throughout the province by WorkSafeBC officers. In total, 336 surveys were collected from truck drivers working in many different industries."
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (87 KB)

Helicopter Operations in the Forest Industry BK13

A comprehensive guide to proper planning of helicopter logging and related operations. This booklet can help employers, supervisors, and workers develop safe work procedures. It includes general helicopter logging safety, cedar block flying, and selective logging by helicopter. Descriptive graphics include hand signals and ground-to-air recognition patterns.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (2 MB)
Updated: March 2005

Partial Cutting Safety Handbook

A Ministry of Forest publication, this handbook covers the implementation of partial-cut logging methods through all phases of planning and operations. The handbook outlines safe operating procedures and checklists for conducting actual harvest operations.
Source: Ministry of Forests
Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution of WorkSafeBC or Ministry of Forests Branch (phone: 250 387-6656).

Safe Work Practices for Large Vehicle Tire Servicing BK62

This manual describes acceptable servicing practices. However, it does not replace service and safety manuals which are supplied by all manufacturers and distributors of large vehicle tires and wheels.
Source: WorkSafeBC WCB logo
Updated: March 2006
* PDF (290 KB)

WorkSafeBC Video Catalogue

A listing of films, videos, and slide tape presentations available for loan or purchase.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
(PDF 395 KB).

Safety Guide for Operations Over Ice

The purpose of this safety guide is to:

(a) specify rules of good safety practice for all Public Service employees engaged in operations on ice covers;

(b) provide information on the thickness of ice required to support moving and stationary loads;

(c) specify methods for determining ice thickness and quality; and

(d) outline approved methods for the preparation and maintenance of ice bridges.

Source: Treasury Board of Canada
* HTML

Ice Bridges

Forest Management Practices Fact Sheet Crossing Options Series # 4
Source: University of Minnesota
* HTML

Facility Design for Pesticide Storage

This document is an excerpt from the WorkSafeBC publication Standard Practices for Pesticide Applicators. The storage design criteria are referred to in section 6.101 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (118 KB)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

FACTSFAX
The Central Interior Logging Association (CILA) produces a weekly newsletter to provide timely information on issues, regulatory changes, ongoing programs and benefits. Archived newsletters are available online.

Job Safety Procedures CD-Rom
Funded by the Workers' Compensation Board, a Job Safety Procedures CD-Rom has been produced by the Truck Loggers Association to assist coastal logging companies in developing, initiating and maintaining an effective Occupational Health & Safety Program.

The CD-Rom contains more than 200 pages of comprehensive Job Safety Procedures, detailed regulations and policy information for the logging industry. It was essential to package the information for easy access, comprehension, readability and use. The CD-Rom for office reference is supplemented with Job Safety Procedures required by supervisors and their crews in the field, which have been assembled in two user-friendly, pocket-size infoflips:

  • Yarding and Loading
  • Falling, Construction, Shop and Sort

For more information or to order a copy of the CD-Rom and infoflips, contact:
The Truck Loggers Association
Suite 725 - 815 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 1B4
Ph. 604-684-4291
Fax. 604-684-7134
Email:

Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC)
Feric develops and helps implement innovative and safe forest operational solutions covering the vast range of engineering, human, operational and environmental aspects of forestry and wildland fire operations.

OSHA's Health and Safety Topics: Logging
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has designed the Logging Technical Advisor to provide expert assistance for businesses and workers seeking to comply with OSHA's logging standard. The advisor uses an interactive WEB format. Pages utilize illustrations, tables, and other graphical elements to supplement the textual presentation.

Master Logging Program (Ohio Forestry Association)
The Ohio Forestry Association maintains a Safety Training and Master Logging Program for Contractors and their employees. Master Logging Companies must be a member of the local loggers chapter as well as a member of the Ohio Forestry Association Inc.
Source: The Ohio Forestry Association Inc.



You can return to the Top of this page