PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. (Nov. 8, 2004) — Loggers, forest companies, fallers, and other related workers have united to create an umbrella organization to fulfill recommendations mandated by a forest safety task force eight months ago.

Under the adopted motto “unsafe is unacceptable,” The B.C. Forestry Safety Council — initially funded by the Workers Compensation Board — will deliver on the 20 task force recommendations in hopes of reducing the staggering number of forestry industry deaths and serious injuries, Canadian Press reports.

Such proposals include the creation of health and safety standards that must be met by all firms working in B.C.’s forests before they can bid on contracts or timber permits. The safety council’s first mandate, however, will be to promote faller certification, which will become mandatory by July 31, 2005.

There are also discussions underway to introduce a logging truck safety program.

The logging sector has the highest fatality rate of any industry in the province. Forestry workers are 10 times more likely to die on the job than in other industry, with tree-falling and log-hauling named the two most dangerous jobs.

Between 1993 and 2002, there were 250 logging-related deaths in the province, an average of 25 a year. Between 1998 and 2002, 26 fallers and 24 logging truck drivers died in the province.

Prince George Trucking Association president Dan Henry said the council and programs such as faller certification are welcome, but, he added, the economics of implementing change must also be addressed. “Safety is not free,” he told CP.

— from Canadian Press, via the Prince George Citizen