BCTS has agreed to discourage bid tenders that ask contractors to include the costs of danger tree falling in the price per tree.
The WSCA has argued that over winter the amount of danger tree falling required can change and is therefore impossible to predict as a cost the following spring. Furthermore by burying the cost of this vital safety procedure in the price per tree, where contractors may occasionally exhibit more optimism than required, it may not be carried out appropriately as the contractor tries to compensate for the bid’s poor judgment. The recommended procedure is for BCTS to tender the costs of any danger tree falling as a separate day rate. The final cost would be dictated as a result of the day rate applied to the number of days required to effectively and safely make the workplace fit for workers. Of course this whole discussion sidesteps the question of why logged sites are allowed to be left in a hazardous condition for silviculture crews. That for another day.
Forest For Tomorrow Program Considers Alternative Recipient Models