ARCHIVED NEWS HEADLINES in PDF Format

JURY RECOMMENDATIONS ON SKIDDER ROLL-OVER – On August 17, 2007 Francis Tucker was killed when the skidder he was operating rolled more than 300 metres before coming to rest at the bottom of the hill near Merritt BC. On March 22, 2010 a coroners jury started to hear testimony regarding this tragic event. On March 25th, the jury made 14 recommendations to help prevent a recurrence of this type of incident happening again. Click to download PDF.

BEDLAM ON BC’S BACKROADS – A feature article in the 19 July 2009 issue of The Province announces the completion of WorkSafe BC pilot projects on resource road safety which took place out of Prince George and Peace River country. The projects analyze ways of improving radio communications, standardizing road practices and training young workers to use the roads. Click to download PDF.

SAFETY SYSTEM PUSH FOR LOGGING DRIVERS – A companion article to Bedlam on BC’s Backroads in the 19 July 2009 issue of The Province, WorkSafe BC compliance manager Don Dahr says the WCB worked committee run by industry committees, mainly Canfor. The WCB wants a system driven by the industry and not the WCB. Click to download PDF.

RECORDS SHOW CARNAGE IN BACK COUNTRY – A companion article that ran on 19 July 2009 in The Province with the feature article “Bedlam on BC’s Back Roads” this WorkSafe BC-sourced article samples resource road deaths in pickup trucks, a log loader, a logging truck and crew cab. Click to download PDF.

LONG AND WINDING ROADS TO OUR NATURAL RESOURCES – A 13 July 2009 notes that stalled legislation (Resources Road Act) designed to create a provincial authority and regulate use of resource roads is being opposed by industry. Forest Minister Pat Bell says industry will be consulted before legislation is re-introduced to the legislature. The article notes there were 68 deaths on forestry an oil and gas roads over a 10-year period, that half of fatal incidents involved logging trucks and four of ten involved those traveling in pickups or worker transport vehicles. Click to download PDF.

FALLERS TAKING DEADLY RISKS – The day the BC Forests Minster Pat Bell dismisses 10 faller deaths in the last 18 months as a “few deaths’ which can be “misleading” the 9 July 2009 issue of The Province highlights a WorkSafe BC commissioned study of 32 faller deaths and serious accidents between 2000-2008. The study reveals lack of supervision and planning and finds that supervisors were working fallers in half of the accidents. USW Health and Safety Coordinator Ron Corbeil points out that a lot of fallers are one person operations that don’t always have proper supervision. Click to download PDF.

BC LOGGING DEATHS SPARK DEBATE – On 9 July 2009 CBC covers BC Forests Minister Pat Bell’s comments that the deaths of 10 fallers during the previous 18 months were a “few” accidents that can be “misleading.” United Steelworkers Health and Safety Coordinator Ron Corbeil notes there were no faller deaths for two years prior to that and that “government has to step up to the plate with the industry and the union.” Click to download PDF.

BC ENFORCES LOGGING ROAD SPEEDS – In January 2009 the BC government takes a “law and order” approach to logging road safety by purchasing radar guns to train Forest Ministry staff on ticketing speeding truck drivers. Forests Minister Pat Bell says: “This is all about changing the culture.” Not a word is said about the contractual arrangements and working conditions that truck drivers face to survive. Click to download PDF.

ON A WING AND A PRAYER – In 2008, two Grumman Gooses went down on the BC Coast with only one survivor among the two flights. A 22 November 2008 Globe and Mail feature investigates the perils of small craft flying, noting that fatality rates per 10,000 hours work are slightly less than the logging industry. When loggers fly to work they are in double jeopardy. The article also interviews the widow of a victim of a February 2005 Beaver crash out of Campbell River which killed all 4 on board. The Transport Safety Board dropped its investigation. Click to download PDF.

BC LOGGING ROAD SAFETY – In September 2008, the BC Government announced the “Resources Road Act,” combining 5 government acts together. Recommendations from the coroner’s inquest into the 2006 logging death of trucker Frank Leroux weighed on the government’s decision. The new act will allow main users to recover road construction and other costs from other industrial users. Click to download PDF.

LOGGING TRUCK RADIO PROTOCOLS – In August 2008 the government launches a pilot program on logging road radio protocol programs in Campbell River, later expanding it to the Sechelt area and Tumbler Ridge. Forest Minister Pat Bell says he hopes to see the program expanded to the rest of the province by the end of 2008. Click to download PDF.

TREE PLANTER KILLED IN CRASH – History repeats itself in a largely unregulated and unsupervised industry. In May 2008, a 25-year old Montreal woman, Christine Benoit-Belisle dies when the vehicle she is traveling in rolls over off of a logging road near Vanderhoof. Click to download PDF.

VETERAN FALLER DIES IN GOLD RIVER – In February 2008 the death of Vancouver Island Faller Frank Sinclair became the second faller and third forest workers to dies that year. By the end of 2009, nine fallers, all certified fallers, would lose their lives on the job. Click to download PDF.

WHAT IS NEED TO STOP THE KILLING – An Op-Ed article in the 29 January 2008 issue of the Vancouver Sun, by USW District 3 Director Stephen Hunt, calls for government and industry to adopt the Auditor General’s recommendations on forest industry safety. Click to download PDF.

A-G SLAMS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE SAFETY – This 24 January 2008 article by Vancouver Sun reporter Gordon Hamilton highlights the just-released BC Auditor General ’ s report on forest industry safety. The report verifies that since the government’s 2003 commitment to make the industry safer, responsibility for safety has been downloaded on to the backs of contractors and subcontractors. Click to download PDF.

UNION MAKES SAFETY KEY BARGAINING ISSUE – A 29 March 2007 Vancouver Sun article highlighted the USW’s agenda to bargain health and safety language into Coastal collective agreements. “We don’t accept minimum wages for forest workers, so why accept minimum safety legislation?” said District 3 Director Stephen Hunt. The union struck and achieved the most progressive health and safety language in Canada and a solid contract. Click to download PDF.

INDEPENDENT SAFETY REVIEW LAUNCHED – By June, 2006 BC Forests Minister Rich Coleman notified the Steelworkers that the government would conduct and independent review of forest industry safety. That review would be conducted by the Auditor General of BC. Click to download PDF.

DEATH IN THE FOREST - TORONTO STAR – In May of 2006 one of Canada’s largest newspapers, the Toronto Star, features an article on forest industry safety conditions in BC, interviewing forest workers and union officials. Faller Steve Kerrone says the Dirty 30’s are happening again. “They’ve taken the most dangerous industry in the world and turned it against us.” The elimination of company crews and safety programs was rampant. WCB official Don Dahr noted that small contractors don’t have money, resources and time for safety programs and USW Local 1-80 office Carmen Rocco said the “buddy system” of looking out for one another was gone. Click to download PDF.

OMBUDSMAN CITES “TOUGH GUY CULTURE” – Taking the approach of citing workers’ culture, the BC Government’s newly-appointed Ombudsman offers to lend an understanding ear to workers and contractors “who may be fearful” of speaking out. Roger Harris, a former Liberal caucus member who voted for industry deregulation and more contracting out, said he will listen to concerns. Click to download PDF.

WEYCO FACES FINE FOR MILL WORKERS DEATH – In March 2007 Weyerhaeuser was hit with the highest fine ever imposed for a workplace death – just $297,000. The fine came after a criminal investigation which showed the death was caused by willful or reckless disregard. Lyle Hewer was suffocated while cleaning out a hopper at the New West Lumber mill. Senior managers and line supervisor knew about the hazard risk all along. Click to download PDF.

FOREST OMBUDSMAN APPOINTED – By mid-March 2006, the BC Liberals appointed former Liberal cabinet member Roger Harris as an Ombudsman for forest safety. Harris’ stated focus would be to change the “tough guy” image of workers. “We have to change the culture,” he said. NDP forest critic Bob Simpson noted that Harris’ office would be under the thumb of the BC Forest Safety Council, an industry dominated body. Click to download PDF.

FOREST INDUSTRY TO SHUN FIRMS – By mid-January, 2006 BC Forests Minister Rich Coleman said that BC Timber Sales would not do business with unsafe companies. Canfor said it would only deal with contractors certified and audited under the Safety Accord Forestry Enterprise Program. The certification, held under the auspices of the industry-dominated BC Forest Safety Council, would see reductions in WCB premiums for certified member companies. Click to download PDF.

FOREST DEATHS TO BE TACKLED – As a result of pressure from the United Steelworkers, in mid-January, 2006 BC Forest Minister Rich Coleman appointed a Special Coroner to take on forest industry deaths. The government committed to holding inquiries into all industry deaths and, according to Coleman, conduct inquests into deaths where warranted. Meanwhile the USW said the BC Forest Safety Council was trying to duplicate the duties of the WCB. Click to download PDF.

ACCIDENT BLAMED ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS – By mid-January of 2006, Keith Rush, a top senior advisor of the employer-dominated BC Forest Safety Council, lays blame for some industry deaths on drug and alcohol. Loggers are a “hard drinking an partying bunch,” he says. Click to download PDF.

BC LOGGERS STAKE HOPE ON CORPORATE KILLING LAW – In January 2006, the National Journal of Human Resource Management, profiles the United Steelworker ’ s demand for the enforcement of the Westray Bill amendments to the Criminal Code. The union ’ s call for a Special Prosecutor to take on Bill C-45 cases. Click to download PDF.

STEELWORKERS SLAM SELF-REGULATION OF INDUSTRY – In mid-January of 2006, the United Steelworkers criticized industry self-regulation and a industry-led safety certification system that left little room for worker input in goal setting, planning or measuring progress. Click to download PDF.

FATALITY SUMMIT PLANS CRACKDOWN – The Vancouver Sun’s 6 December 2005 coverage of the BC Forest Fatality Summit, chaired by former IWA Canada President Jack Munro, includes stated commitments of industry, government, agency and union officials. WorkSafe BC’s Don Dahr said a renewed enforcement regime was on its way. Click to download PDF.

FOREST DEATH COST BILLIONS – A 5 December 2005 article in The Province highlights BC Forest Safety Council leader Tanner Elton’s remark that the industry’s failure to protect workers has cost the industry over $1-billion in direct and $3-billion in indirect costs between 1993-2003. USW District 3 Director Steve Hunt noted that workers who exercise their right to refuse unsafe work run the risk of not working the next day. Click to download PDF.

MOUNTING DEATHS SPUR ACTION – The 24 Hours publication, designed for commuters in the Lower Mainland, carried a brief article on the BC Forest Safety Summit. The union’s call that the “Culture of Desperation” is rampant in the industry was echoed by various speakers. Click to download PDF.

DEJONG SEEKS PROTECTIONS – The Globe and Mail’s 6 December 2005 report on the BC Forest Fatality Summit, notes that Labour Minister Mike de Jong called for a process of self-regulation of the industry and that: “If it can’t we will.” The clipping also notes the USW’s view that the “Culture of Desperation” had contributed to increased death and injury in the industry. Click to download PDF.

BC LOGGING DEATHS DOUBLE – CBC’s News’ coverage of the USW-sponsored Forest Fatality Summit in December 2005 notes Steelworkers District 3 Director Steve Hunt’s comment that the former IWA Canada membership, which merged into the USW in 2004, made up only 4 per cent of the union’s entire membership, but 40 per cent of its fatalities. The Labour and Citizens’ Service Minister Mike de Jong pledges that government will add “safety aspects to everything we do in the ministry.” Click to download PDF.

ANOTHER FALLER KILLED ON THE JOB – In mid-December 2005, faller Bob Strang was killed near Port McNeill BC, becoming the last worker killed by a traumatic accident that year. He died while falling a snag. 2005 was the worse year since 1988, when 57 workers were killed in a larger industry. Click to download PDF.

DEATHS PROMPT SAFETY SUMMIT – On December 5, 2005, the day of the BC Forest Fatality Summit, the Globe and Mail featured an article interviewing brothers of two loggers who died – Ted Gramlich a faller who bled to death waiting for evacuation, and Percy Forbes, who truck went out of control. Logs from the load killed him. David Gramlich and Barry Forbes are interviewed. Steelworkers District 3 Director Steve Hunt notes that a forest worker was been killing almost on a weekly basis in 2005. Click for download of PDF.

CHARGE KILLER COMPANIES SAY STEELWORKERS – A day before the BC Forest Safety Summit on December 5, 2005, The Province newspaper ran an article which focused on the Steelworkers call for aggressive prosecution of negligent companies under Bill C-45, amendment to the Criminal Code of Canada. Not more than two weeks earlier WorkSafe BC chairman Doug Enns warn forest company officials that they could face charges. The union pointed out that between 2001-2004, WorkSafe BC workplace inspections dropped by nearly 50 per cent to around 15,000 per year. Click to download PDF.

ENSURE SAFETY OR FACE LAW – A 3 December 2005 article by Vancouver Sun reporter Gordon Hamilton features part of a 20 November 2005 letter, from WorkSafe BC chair Doug Enns to forest company CEO’s warning them and their boards that they could be held criminally liable if they don’t do their safety duties and responsibilities properly and that contracting out of work did not let them contract out responsibility for worker safety. A week earlier TimberWest CEO Paul McElligott said his company does not have legal responsibility for its contractors’ employees. Click to download PDF.

LOGGING CONTRACTORS WANT MORE CONTROL – As forest industry death were mounting in 2005, this 15 October 2005 Vancouver Sun article reveals that contract loggers on the Coast were being forced to absorb cost cutting measures, impacting safe logging practices. Click to download PDF.

SIX DEATHS BY END OF APRIL 2005 – The death of 33-year old fall Chris Broswick in the Spring of 2005 spurred the start of the outcry against death in the industry. USW District 3 Director Stephen Hunt questions why industry deaths are acknowledged as “part of doing business?”Click to download PDF.

COMPANY, UNION CLASH OVER SAFETY
Coroner ’ s inquest recommends better supervision in logging.
Vancouver Island News Group
Tue 26 Sep 2006

Forest companies need to better supervise the contractors and workers it hires to harvest trees. That is at the heart of recommendations made by the jury at a coroner ’ s inquiry into the death of Crofton logger Ted Gramlich, killed in Nanoose last November. Jury recommendations include doing background safety checks on logging contractors, boosting supervision and improving communications between field workers and access to medical evacuation.

During four days of testimony, jurors heard how Gramlich, 52, an experienced logger, was severely injured when a tree fell on him, but died after it took three hours to get him to the hospital in Duncan from Black Jack Ridge. A doctor testified Gramlich might have lived, had he been treated within the "golden hour" after the accident. Click here for more on this story.

RISKY PRACTICES CONTINUE SAYS SAFETY EXPERT
Jury told what happened to faller is still happening
Gordon Hamilton
Vancouver Sun
Thursday, September 21, 2006

DUNCAN -- Conditions and practices that led to the death of forest worker
(Turbo) Ted Gramlich still occur in B.C. ’ s forest industry, a safety expert told an inquest into his death. 

"What happened to Ted Gramlich is still happening as we speak," Bill Bolton, of the B.C. Forest Safety Council, told the five-member jury hearing evidence on Wednesday into the grisly death of Gramlich in November 2005.

Gramlich was crushed and bled to death after taking a risk to cut down a tree on an extremely steep slope that was full of rot. He was hit by a second tree he was using to push the first one over. He lay injured on the hillside for more than an hour before losing consciousness while being cradled by his co-worker. Click here for more on this story.

FALLER ’ S FINAL TRAGIC HOURS REVEALED
Jury hears how Ted Gramlich died
Gordon Hamilton 
Vancouver Sun 

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 

DUNCAN -- A coroner ’ s jury heard the chilling story Monday of the final hours of Vancouver Island faller Ted (Turbo) Gramlich, including a pattern of confused safety planning procedures that all came to a head as he lay bleeding to death on a remote logging sidehill.

Gramlich, 53, died Nov. 19 after being struck by a tree that he was felling on Black Jack Ridge, west of Nanoose. His death has become a symbol of everything that went wrong in the B.C. forest industry in 2005, a year when 43 forest workers died in the industry ’ s logging operations and sawmills.

He was working alone, out of shouting distance from his partner and friend Mark Lee and three other fallers on a five-man crew. And, because of fog, it took two hours from the time he was found in a crumpled heap until he was heli-lifted to waiting paramedics at Lake Cowichan. Click here for more on this story.

ANSWERS SOUGHT ON FALLER SAFETY
Ted Gramlich was working on steep slopes near Nanoose Bay when a falling tree killed him
By Aaron Bichard
The Pictorial
September 16, 2006 

Debbie Geddes, partner of fallen faller Ted Gramlich, wants to make sure her lover ’ s death wasn ’ t in vain. 

"He had said to me he ’ d go back into the bush for two more years, long enough to get a down-payment for a place," she said, "then he ’ d quit. He wasn ’ t in there six months before he died." Geddes believes had Gramlich had all the safety measures in place that were needed, his death would have been prevented. "I don ’ t want that to ever happen again," she said, adding she hopes the inquest will recommend changes to regulations.

A coroner ’ s inquest beginning Monday in Duncan ’ s courthouse will look into the circumstances surrounding the 53-year-old ’ s death Nov. 19, 2005. He was the 40th forest worker killed in B.C. last year. A report released by WorkSafe BC says a "lapse in judgment" caused the death. Gramlich was working on steep slopes near Nanoose Bay when a falling tree killed him. After his chainsaw became stuck, he felled the tree with an axe, causing another tree to fall and hit him, resulting in fatal injuries. Click here for more on this story.