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WorkSafeBC responds to the BC Coroner's Service inquest and jury's recommendations into a workplace fatality in the forest industry
October 2, 2006 — In 2005, 49 forest industry workers lost their lives in the course of their employment, or from an occupational disease. This is unacceptable. As a result, WorkSafeBC implemented a Forestry Compliance Strategy and increased inspection and enforcement activity. WorkSafeBC continues to work closely with the forest industry and labour representatives to reduce serious injuries and fatalities in this sector.
In November, 2005 a manual tree faller was killed — one of eight fallers to die that year. This death was investigated by WorkSafeBC and the investigation is posted on this web site. Recently, a coroner's inquest was held into this fatality and the coroner's jury made a series of recommendations. WorkSafeBC senior officials have received the findings and recommendations of the coroner's jury and inquest into the Ted Gramlich fatality and they are largely consistent with the findings of this organization's investigation into this tragic death. While some of the recommendations are already underway or currently addressed in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, WorkSafeBC will take the recommendations under consideration and to the Board of Directors for discussion and direction.
Following the conclusion of the coroner's inquest, there has also been a call for the Minister of Labour and Citizens' Services and WorkSafeBC to conduct a complete audit of forestry regulations.
In May 2006, the WorkSafeBC Board of Directors directed the administration to conduct a complete review of Part 26 (forestry operations) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation to ensure requirements are consistent with current industry standards and practice — and that health and safety obligations are placed on any and all relevant workplace parties. In addition, parts 4, 20, and 26 regarding fill structures (part of a road, dyke, dam or embankment) are being reviewed.
The review of forestry-related regulations is due in part to the high number of forestry fatalities in 2005 and because they have not been thoroughly reviewed in many years.
In November the draft regulatory language will be presented to the Board of Directors for approval to release the proposed language with explanatory notes for public consultation. Stakeholders and all interested parties are invited to provide comments on the proposed amendments at consultation sessions, via the electronic survey on the WorkSafeBC web site, or by written submission.
All feedback received during the consultation stage is analyzed. The proposed amendments will be revised, as necessary, in preparation for the formal public hearing required by the Workers Compensation Act in May, 2007.
In addition, the coroner's inquest into the Gramlich fatality made a recommendation specific to the First Aid provisions in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. This recommendation — to return to a prescriptive first aid regulation (currently there is a performance-based regulation that includes a prescriptive guideline) will be taken to the Board of Directors for further consideration.