THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER

REGARDLESS OF COST

REGIONAL COUNCIL SUPPORTS _W.C.B.’S (ROPS) REGULATIONS

Forest workers in the woods are going to see that operators of older equipment have their machines modified to comply with safety standards set by the Workers’ Compensation Board of B.C. :

This warning was given by Max Salter, IWA Regional Safety Director.

Earlier complaints of the Truck Loggers’ Association against a WCB deadline of July 1 for the modification of older equipment and against the cost of the safety features being de- manded drew criticism from the IWA at industry placing costs ahead of lives.

IWA workers will no longer clamber on to machines and drive off without first being assured that every possible attention has been paid to safety, said the Safety Director.

Since July 1972, the WCB has demanded that all new equipment such as skidders,

loaders, crawler tractors and

earthmovers be fitted with

protective structures to protect operators should the machines roll over.

Older equipment lacking roll

_ over protection has to con-

form and, also in some cases, be fitted with auxiliary braking and steering systems.

Equipment operators have had more than two years’ notice of the needed modifica- tions to older machines. The WCB has been generous, giving companies plenty of time in which to bring older equipment up to standard.

Some equipment operators cannot be termed loggers. “They are real estate sales- men and other sharp artists who have wanted to turn a fast buck, using any kind of machine they could lay their hands on.

“Some of them bought used equipment as recently as last year, full well knowing that it would have to be modified. Now they are complaining,”

PALLER DISPLAYS several unsafe acts which have been numerous fatalities in the logging industry. Ac- cident prevention Regulations require that brush be removed _ from area where saw is operated, and the picture also dis- ye hazard created in winter conditions, calling for

pe route. This faller is using Bilsom cotton in his

| of the required ear muffs to protect against the

i of noise from a power saw. Many injuries to

it from “‘kick-backs”. This faller does not

on — hand hold, as required. Smoking

i sailing of a tree is not spelled out in

ons, buf can be a factor in is restricted by cigarette :

said Salter, and what’s more, the howls of protest from in- dustry actuated sources in- clude machine manufacturers who are guilty of poor engin- eering standards, resulting in hazardous equipment being foisted onto companies during the machinery’ shortage periods of the ‘‘sellers’’ market.

It’s not only roll over protec- tion that’s at fault. Failure of brake and steering systems, shoddy maintenance stand- ards, and the absence of satis- factory training programs are ingredients that are essential to personal safety, and which were absent in many of the recorded fatalities.

The Safety Director declared the IWA workers would not condone the use of junk equip- ment, and furthermore there is no way the workers and the union will allow the WCB to “‘back-off”’ on the issue, even in the face of the campaign of protest engineered by in- dustry

JACK MUMM RETIRES FROM COUNCIL

One of the best known and highly dedicated members of the IWA Regional Safety Council, Jack Mumm of Local 1-80 Duncan, declined to-run for re-election on the Council due to his increased work load following his election to the

post of Ist Vice-President of his . |

Local Union.

A former faller, Jack spent years promoting safety in the woods so successfully that the Local put him on staff as its full-time Safety Director.

Because of his keen interest in .

safety he was elected to the Regional Safety Council on his first try.

Jack has indicated that he will still take the same interest in safety and hopes to represent his Local at future safety conferences.

| LIGHTER SIDE _

An artist gave this foolproof method of sculpting an ele- phant: First, you get a huge block of granite. Then you chip away everything that doesn’t look like an elephant.

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There’s a man who has so many mortgages on his home that he refers to it as his “‘lien- to.”

*% Po %

If you’re in a car pool, be.

careful not to distract the dri- ver. :

NEED FOR increased overhead protection, under the WCB ROPS regulations, results in positive structural re-inforcing and installation of side screens to protect drivers involved in woods operations, and where “‘roll-over’’ hazards exist. The Cat shown meets the requirements of the Safety Regulations.

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SHOWN is a typical Rubber Tired Tree Skidder widely used in logging operations to “’skid’’ logs from bush to “‘landings”’ for haulage to mills and are required to be equipped with re- inforced canopy and screens to deflect branches. from en- tering cab. Operators are required to wear seat belts to conform to requirements of WCB fegulations in hazardous terrain. Opposition from some sections of industry include

complaints over cost of modifications to older equipment. ~

Compensation Board regulations were stiffened up following numerous fatalities to equipment operators who jumped or were thrown from the cab when involved in “‘roll-over’’ accidents.

IWA MEMBERS Jack Kerssens and Jack McTague during tour of the Weyerhauser Mill at Vavenby. Kerssens is the Safety Director of Local 1-417 IWA Kamloops and was

recently re-elected to the post of President of the Central _

Interior Safety Council. McTague is an active member of the Union and serves as Chairman of the Shop Committee.

JACK WELDER, Safety Director of Kelowna Local 1-423, examines logging Safety in winter conditions at the Pope and Talbot operation. Jack is also First Vice Chairman of the Regional Safety Council and also serves as a Business Agent of his Local Union.

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