Hmmm I wonder if the improvements are because there aren't as many forestry folks working anymore?

Whatever, it is certainly a challenge worth trying to achieve, and what a wonderful thing it would be if it comes to pass.

Part of the reason for fewer deaths is the fact that the workforce in the log hauling sector is very experienced.

The forest industry has been down for so long that there are virtually no young drivers. The drivers that remain have a great deal of experience. Nothing has really changed to make log hauling safer. If the forest sector ever recovers the added new drivers will dilute the experience currenty enjoyed by our headline hunting politicians, and the fatalities will reflect the fact that log hauling safety has not changed in 20 plus years.

Have a look the next time you see a log truck driver, 9 out of 10 times I bet he or she has a little gray hair.

I have worked as a safety consultant in the woodland sector of the forest industry for close to 10 years. "Taxed out" has hit the nail on the head with respect to the type of factors at play. The change in the characteristics of the workforce is most certainly one of the factors. In fact, that one goes right across the board of job categories.

There are other factors which relate to the intneity of work in the woodlands. With respect to driving on forestry roads, for instance, the volume of traffic has changed. With less congestion on forestry roads, the risk of incidents should be reduced beyond a simple one to one relationship of incidents/unit traffic volume.

I do not want to discount the efforts that have been made in the past 5 or so years to change habits. I think the most significant one is the creation of the "safe companies" program which audits companies for safety programs in place.

Give it another 5 years and let us see whether there have been long term changes. It is extremely difficult to link changes in practice and attitude in the industry to changes in incidents.

In the meantime, there is no harm in setting a lofty goal. In fact, it assists in changing attitudes and attitude changes go a long way to incident reduction.

Northern B.C. has gone nearly two years now without a death in the forest industry “We need to expand that across the province” says Bell.

Ring, Ring, Mr. Bell thats because we have no mills left here in the North they all keep shuting down.

Don't worry Mr. Bell eventually it will be China's problem not in your jurisdiction.

A lot of the dangerous forestry jobs have been eliminated with mechanization. Falling comes to mind. The "safe certified" program is helping a lot. Our roads need to be brought up to better standards though. More turnouts or on really busy roads double lane as our forest industry recovers.

The downturn in the industry, with fewer people still working, no doubt has an effect. Previous to that, one of the negative factors in reducing accidents is the current trend towards a longer workday in the woods, and away from the traditional workweek (in mills that are trying to operate full bore 24/7). This DOES take a toll on workers, through increased tiredness, family problems, etc., and that's bound to show up as a factor in accidents.