[Table of Contents]
11. WORKER SAFETY
ALASKA
Worker safety is not directly addressed in the forest practices legislation.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
All Forest Practices Code Regulations are subject to the B.C. Workers Compensation Act. Where a conflict might arise between the WCB Act, and a regulation under the Forest Practices Code Act, the WCB Act, or the regulation made under that Act, prevails.
CALIFORNIA
Worker safety is not directly addressed in the Forest Practice Rules.
There are some public safety concerns addressed indirectly for some counties. For example, in Marin County, Notices of Intent and Filing of THP's must be provided to school districts and private schools located along a proposed haul log route. There are also access restrictions for the purpose of road safety.
FINLAND
Worker safety is not included in any of the forestry related legislation. However, the Worker Safety Act, enacted in 1958, regulates the safety of all workers in Finland.
GERMANY
Federal Republic of Germany
Worker safety is not addressed in federal or state forest law. Worker safety is regulated by the Accident Protection Prescription Law (Brunner, pers. comm.). Independent agencies, owned by private and state companies offer a type of compensation insurance, whereby the employer pays a premium for each employee based on their occupation. Loggers have the highest premiums.
The Federal Republic also has separate laws that protect against worker exploitation, such as child labour.
NOVA SCOTIA
Government of Nova Scotia provides appropriate training of silviculture woodsworkers, through the Department of Lands and Forests, in consultation and in cooperation with various departments and agencies of government and the private sector (Forestry, 1986: s. 10). Operators on both Crown and private lands must comply with all provisions of the Code of Practice for Forestry Operations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.N.S. 1989 (Standing Long Term License Agreement, 1993:14). This Code of Practice outlines all safety standards, mandatory equipment, etc. to be used during forestry operations (McQuarrie, pers. comm.).
ONTARIO
Worker safety is a high priority for the MNR. The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1990 guides workplace safety in Ontario, and forestry operations are covered under the Regulations for Industrial Establishments. Any person who operates a chainsaw or skidder must have taken the appropriate Ministry of Skills Development
Training Program prior to being certified for operation. Specific training programs within the Ministry of Natural Resources will occur on an as required basis in relation to specific program needs. For example, under the Prescribed Burn Planning Manual, each prescribed burn plan would include a safety plan. In addition, employers are responsible for providing worker education regarding handling of hazardous materials under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System; a workplace requirement in Ontario.
OREGON
Worker safety is covered under other legislation.
SWEDEN
Worker safety is not considered in the Forestry Act.
TASMANIA
While worker safety is not specifically considered under the various sections of the Forest Practices Code, safe working practices are fundamental to the Code and Timber Harvesting Plans will reflect this (FPC, 1993:i). Worker safety is also dealt with by the federal Department of Labour and Industry.
UNITED KINGDOM
National safety regulations apply to forestry workers, and contracts are subject to the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974. In addition, Safety Guides are produced by the Forestry and Arboricultural Safety and Training Council, outlining safety standards for all forestry operations in Great Britain, and compliance is required by the Health and Safety Executive (Forestry Commission, 1994:7).
U.S. FOREST SERVICE (REGION 6)
Worker Safety is not considered in the various Acts dealing with forest management.
VICTORIA STATE
Timber harvesting operations must be conducted to comply with relevant occupational health and safety standards (Code, 1989:21, 39), and worker training programs include task specific training and accreditation programs and a general Operational Health and Safety training course (Leonard, pers. comm.).
WASHINGTON
Safety comes under other legislation that supersedes the Forest Practices Act and Regulations.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Western Australia's Code of Logging Practice outlines safety specifications that must be followed during harvesting operations. These include:
- contractor must comply with safety requirements laid down by the F.O.I.C., and must adhere strictly to the demands and instructions of a District Timber Inspector, appointed under the Timber Industry Regulation Act (1926), or the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act (1984-87);
- safety helmets must be worn;
- safety boots must be worn;
- contractor must provide a First Aid Kit;
- F.O.I.C. may prohibit the use of vehicles or equipment which he feels are unsuitable or unsafe;
- F.O.I.C. or Inspector may require signs to be erected to warn users of public roads of the presence of falling, extraction and haulage operations;
- contractor or his bush foreman must be available to participate in investigation of accidents (COLP, 1990:29).
