The newly formed British Columbia Forest Safety Council and the Workers’ Compensation Board announced the implementation of the BC Faller Certification Program November 4 simultaneously in Nanaimo and Prince George.
The newly formed British Columbia Forest Safety Council and the Workers’ Compensation Board announced the implementation of the BC Faller Certification Program November 4 simultaneously in Nanaimo and Prince George.
The certification program will require mandatory testing and a skills demonstration by experienced fallers including silvicultural fallers. (Falling is defined as cutting a tree larger than 6 inches diameter at chest height.) All experienced fallers must be certified by next July 31. As of January 1, 2005 new fallers will have to undergo a comprehensive training program to become certified. Certified fallers will also have to renew their certification regularly.
Faller certification and training previously coordinated under FISA will now be offered through the BC Forest Safety Council at 250-562-3215.
The Forest Safety Council is a direct result of the Forest Safety Task Force, chaired by WCB Chair Doug Enns. The task force released its report in Janaury of this year recommending the formation of the Council and a provincial forest workplace safety accord to steer an industry-led program to eliminate fatal and serious injuries in the province’s forest sector.