Fatality Alert
On July 4th, a faller was fatally injured while working in an area near Bella Bella. He was falling a danger tree when it broke up, fell in an unintended direction and struck him.
Our condolences go out to the family and co-workers of the deceased worker.
WorkSafeBC and the Coroners Service are investigating this incident.
Although the details of this incident are still unknown, review the following falling safety information:
- Prior to falling, assess all hazards and potential danger trees. If you have any doubts, talk to your falling partner or Falling Supervisor for a second opinion. Refer to the Danger Tree Risk Assessment tool for more information (see below for link).
- If the assessment identifies a hazardous situation, use alternative means to remove the tree. Danger tree blasting or using logging equipment are examples.
- In some situations, people may be working in high risk situations without even realizing it. Not being able to identify risks may be caused by factors such as distractions caused by work or home, familiarity with the job, production pressures or overconfidence in their skill level to handle any situation.
- Best practices for falling include having two, cleared escape trails and to always watch the danger tree or hazards while falling.
Safety Resources:
- Danger Tree Blasting Information
/training/Danger_Tree_Blasting_for_Fallers
- Danger Tree Risk Assessment Tool
/files/gde_xDangerousTreeRiskAssessmentForFallingSupervisors.pdf
- Certified Falling Supervisor Information
/node/93
- Video on Risk Tolerance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdUGlGBFFWg
- Print copy of this fatality alert
/files/BCFSC-FatalityAlert-2016-07-04.pdf
