Being in the bight is a way of saying that where a worker is located exposes them to risk. Staying in the clear, or avoiding the bight, is important to continually monitor. Over time, workers can become complacent with their surroundings or tasks, and that can result in increased risk.

Being careful to make sure you and your co-workers are always in the clear is necessary to ensure everyone can complete their tasks and make it home safely at the end of the shift.

Staying "in the clear"

Many incidents are a result of a worker being positioned where there is a release of stored energy. This is often called being “in the line of fire.” This can be in the form of a heavy object falling from above, kickback from a chainsaw, a hand tool letting go, a tow cable breaking, a hose bursting, or being in the path of mobile equipment.

Recognizing the risk includes assessing the "circle of danger" around you.  Every day on the job, workers must continually assess the hazards and risks of their current task.

Being in the clear means being aware of, and avoiding, situations that could be hazardous to you or your co-workers.

When something goes wrong, a worker is usually suprised or shocked by the unexpected event, and rarely has enough time to recognize what is happening and safely react to avoid injury.

The key to avoiding injury is to recognize the risk and develop a safe solution before an incident occurs.  Using the RADAR system is one way of doing this.

RADAR - Recognize and Assess the risk, Develop a plan, Act safely, and Report

Additional Resources

The Council RADAR page has some additional resources to help companies communicate staying in the clear to workers. There you can download posters, safety alerts, pre-made crew talks and videos about staying in the clear. The RADAR Resource page located on the Council website: http://www.bcforestsafe.org/RADAR.

If you require further assistance with implementing RADAR or using these tools with your crew, you can request no-cost Safety Advocate Services to help you take the next steps. Click here to apply.