Logging and road building activities are done in sequential phases. i.e. falling, yarding/skidding, processing, loading & hauling.
"Phase integration" means a situation where different phases are organized to operate simultaneously in a worksite as a single "integrated" phase. Phase integration, while creating efficiencies, increases the complexity of the worksite and requires extra planning and awareness to ensure safety is maintained and desired efficiencies are actually achieved.
When phases are unsuccessfully or poorly integrated, phase congestion can occur resulting in the conflicting demands of the different phases having a negative impact on operations. These negative impacts can create and increase both operational and safety risks.
“Phase congestion,” in this context, means any situation where different logging phases which are integrated together and operating simultaneously in a worksite, become bunched up, overcrowded or jammed (aka congested) in a manner which compromises the safe and efficient operation of the work being performed.
A free interactive online training course is available to help supervisors and workers better understand how to safely integrate phases and prevent phase congestion. This training provides realistic logging scenarios and was developed with the input of industry experts from the Coast Harvest Advisory Group (CHAG) and the Falling Technical Advisory Committee (FTAC).
Click here to enrol in the training.
To help prime contractors, licensees, contractors and supervisors be aware of Phase Congestion and how to manage it if it occurs, CHAG produced the following materials for use, and which the BCFSC makes available now as a resource package:
Email CHAG at CHAGinput@bcforestsafe.org if you have any questions or feedback on the CHAG materials. More information CHAG's work related to Phase Congestion can be found on CHAG's Phase Congestion Page.
Phase Congestion is an issue SAFE Companies auditors recieve training on, and which SAFE companies are audited on. The following areas of SAFE Companies have coverage related to Phase Congestion:
As a follow-up to industry's efforts, the BCFSC requested the BC Forest Safety Ombudsman conduct an independent review of the state of Phase Congestion. The report was presented to CHAG and published to the BCFSC Ombudsman's website in Spring of 2018.
Stacking describes a scenario where phases are physically stacked on a slope. Stacking could refer to phases which are integrated, or phases which are not integrated. Stacking could even refer to to the same phase where work is being performed in two locations on the same slope. Stacking creates significant safety hazards and phase planning should strive to prevent any kind of stacking which creates safety risks.
