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The forestry industry accounts for almost half of the BC's total exports and creates approximately 80,000 jobs throughout the province. On the other hand, forestry has been one of the industry sectors with the highest claim rate in BC. Recent statistics show that every year in BC, 41 workers in the industry suffer an amputation while working and another seven lose their lives. Occupational hazards in the forest industry can be classified as three groups:
- Safety Issues
- Struck by object
- Cut by/caught in machines
- Fall hazards
- Ergonomic Issues
- Overexertion
- Cold/heat stress
- Industrial Hygiene
- Overexposure to wood dusts
- Overexposure to toxic substances
- Vibration
- Hearing Loss
- Exposure to radiation
The following checklist is to inform members of the forestry industry of the solutions that are available to address the three major occupational hazards within the industry. This list is meant to be used as a reference only and is not intended to be a complete occupational hazard guide. For specific advice contact an environmental professional.
Occupational Hazards in the Forestry Industry |
| Dust monitoring |
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| Sound level monitoring |
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Identify noise sources |
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| Determine if exposure levels are compliant with regulations |
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| Monitoring Toxic Substances |
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Monitor for solvents |
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| Monitor for paints |
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| Monitor for formaldehyde |
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| Monitor for dioxins |
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| Monitor for creosotes |
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| Monitor for pentachlorophenol |
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| Monitor for polychlorophenols |
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| Monitor for chromated-coper-arsenic |
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| Determine if Occupational Exposure Limits are compliant with regulations |
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| Monitoring Biohazards |
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Monitor for fungi |
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Monitor for bacteria |
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Monitor for endotoxin |
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| Vibration and Cold Stress Monitoring |
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Measure the amplitudes and frequencies of tools used by workers (prevent Vibration White Finger) |
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| Estimate cold stress my measuring temperature, wind speed, and humidity |
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