Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

Forest Fatality Summit A Qualified Success

By 250 News

"Slaughter in the woods, " and "Carnage in the woods" were phrases used by speakers attending yesterday's B.C. Forest Fatality Summit hosted by the United Steelworkers-IWA in Vancouver.

Prince George Local 1-424 President Frank Everitt says there were representatives from the provincial government, major forest companies from all parts of B.C., union locals and trucking associations.

With the death toll in the forest-indusry at 40 this year, Everitt says, while it's unfortunate it took that staggering figure, it has been the catalyst for change.

And he says the summit met with success, "There will be a plan put together, the government is prepared to do some things and we're going to see some more inspectors come on-board and part of the Timber Sales within the province will have a view on the safety records of applicants."

The union leader says WorkSafe BC (formerly the Workers Compensation Board) has committed to hiring more inspectors.

One demand yet to be met -- mandatory coroner's inquests in cases of forestry-related deaths.
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