Report finds high rate of tree faller deaths in British Columbia

Report finds high rate of tree faller deaths in British Columbia - AP, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
McKibbin said he was told by fellow fallers that they are often afraid to complain about unsafe practices.

'Fallers who ignore safety are rewarded with more work and extended shifts. They (contractors) find a younger, more ignorant man on the crew to do it,' he said.

Board inspectors, McKibbin said, must give one-day notice of when they want to inspect a site, thereby giving the contractor time to 'clean things up.'

WorkSafeBC spokeswoman Donna Freeman said fallers and any other workers who feels their workplace is dangerous have a legal right to refuse do unsafe work.

Tree Fallers Report Cites Lack of Safety Measures for Carnage in B.C. Forests - Western Fallers Association
Tree fallers have the most dangerous job on the planet. Four have lost their lives so far in 2005. Eleven fallers have suffered serious injuries. In the past 10 years, 58 fallers have died in B.C. forests.