THE SAFETY ACCORD

OF THE BC FOREST INDUSTRY

Our Key Beliefs:

• We believe that all fatalities and injuries are preventable.
• We believe in a culture where the health and safety of all workers is an over-riding priority.
• We believe that excellence in health and safety is important to our long-term success.

Shared Responsibility:

• We are collectively and individually responsible for the safety of all workers and all worksites.
• Individuals must assume responsibility for their own safety and the safety of co-workers by following all safety rules, procedures and practices; by refusing to perform unsafe work; and by taking collective responsibility for the unsafe conduct of others.
• Tenure holders, licencees and prime contractors must take a leadership role in ensuring worker health and safety and assuring accountability for safety on the worksite.

Recognition of Safety Performance and Practices:

• The commitment to health and safety is to all workers, not just direct employees. When engaging contractors, sub-contractors and others to provide services, the selection process and administration of contracts will include recognition and support of good safety performance and practices.
• Employers will recognize and support the safety performance of their employees.
• All owners of forested lands, tenure holders and licencees will give weight to the safety record and current practices of companies in the awarding of contracts and in the determination of fees and levies.

Commitment to Training and Supervision:

• We understand the importance of workers being fully prepared for the work they do and the provision of competent supervisors who will insist on and enforce safe work practices. All workers on the worksite must be competent and fully trained and certified for the work they are performing.

Legislation:

• It is understood that the regulatory environment of the Forest Industry can have profound impacts on safety. Accordingly, government ministries and agencies must take into account the importance of health and safety when developing, reviewing and drafting applicable areas of law and regulation.

Continual Improvement:

• We are committed to the on-going improvement of our practices and support efforts to develop and implement new methods, procedures and technologies that have the potential to improve safety.