Unsafe Unacceptable. CEO Speaks Out

By 250 News

There is some good news on safety in the forest industry, but there is a long way to go.

"This year we are down about 40% in injuries and dramatically down in terms of fatalities recorded lfor the same period last year." says Tanner Elton, the CEO of the BC Forest Safety Council.  "There is no question that in every category, the safety performance of the industry this year is dramatically better than it was last year, and you've got to think its at least in part due to all the attention and focus on the issue and the amount of activity." When he talks about activity, he's talking about safety meetings and more reviews. 

Still, Elton says  there is more to be done, namely having companies sign on to the SAFE company program.  That will require companies to undergo annual certification on safety issues.  Eventually it will mean reduced compensation rates and reductions in lost time because of injuries. Elton says companies are coming on board, although the reasons for buying in to the program may differ: "Buying in is like saying we all agree.  You agree enthusiastically, and he agrees pretty well, and she agrees because he agreeesd and another agrees because he doesn't want to be the only one who doesn't agree." 

"When we talk about SAFE companies being a fundamental change, this will be a fundamental change.  There are still a lot of companies who say they must be safe because  they have never had any orders written against them.  That's like saying you're a good driver because you never got a speeding ticket.  You move from that to a system where every year they have to have all of their programs in place, and they are working."

Elton says there are incentives  "We like to think there is a good balance between carrot and stick, there are financial incentives, there are clear dividends down the road in work force stability better efficiences and reduced costs."  The certification program is expected to be fully implemented by the end of next year.

Elton  will officially open the  First Nations and Road Safety Summit tomorrow.  The fatality rate among First Nations in vehicle crashes  is 9 times higher than the provincial average, and there are at least 25 First Nations communities in the province which can only be accessed by forestry roads.  The summit will focus on developing strategies to reduce the risk to First Nations living along and traveling on resource roads.

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