This page has been set up to share photos & video relating to the "Safety & Hazards" chapter of "Step By Step, A Tree Planter's Handbook." Visit www.replant.ca/books to see books about tree planting.
Safety should always be the first priority while at work, and also away from the workplace. A fat paycheque doesn't mean anything if you aren't alive to spend it.
Many of the lumber mills require their planting companies (and all other contractors) to follow certain safety standards as a result of their ISO certification.
Risk management is important. Not only do we have to know how to identify a risk; we also have to know the likelihood of that risk becoming a problem.
Many young or new workers are afraid to speak up if they see something that they don't understand, or don't agree with. Don't be reluctant to ask your crew boss or supervisor for additional clarification about why something is done the way it is. Even if other experienced planters around you are ignoring a hazard, don't be scared to question, "Is this situation safe?"
It is common for a crew to have several safety drills in camp or on a block. This gives workers a better idea of the best way to respond in the event of an emergency.
Some safety drills go beyond talking about potential situations. In this case, an emergency first aid evacuation is being practiced.
In many areas, it's mandatory to be using various items of personal protective equipment while on a work site.
High visibility clothing, also known as hi-vis, is an obvious example of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Here's a foreman on the coast, wearing hi-vis PPE. Hi vis is common in Ontario, on the BC coast, and when working in the oil patch in northern Alberta. In all other areas, it is not likely that planters will be required to wear hi-vis (although field management staff probably will be required to wear it at all times).
Here are some common types of PPE.
It's always wise to wear gloves while planting. The nitridex gloves are thin and cost-effective, so they're a great option.
Some people like to wear a thin nitrile inner gloves, to keep hands clean and to keep pesticides away from skin contact. Dishwashing gloves are one option, and there is also a heavier brand of glove called "greasemonkies" which are popular on the coast. On very cold days, when the ground is close to zero degrees, planting with greasemonkies covered by regular gloves will keep your fingers several degrees warmer, and help prevent tendonitis.
Here we see a planter putting nitridex gloves on over top of nitrile inner gloves.
Insect repellant is a form of PPE.
Caulked boots are a form of PPE. These are rarely used in Alberta and all the eastern provinces, moderately common in tougher ground in BC's southern Interior, and mandatory on BC's coast.
If you're working in areas with heavy slash, caulks can help ensure that you have solid footing. Walking on wet slash or frost-covered slash is especially dangerous.
Regardless of whether or not your boots are caulked, putting duct tape over the laces can keep your boots from getting caught on branches and tripping you up. This is rarely done in the Interior, but quite common on the coast. Foremen and tree runners using Honda quads sometimes also tape their laces on their left boot to keep the laces from being caught in the shifter.
On BC's coast, hard hats or climbing helmets are mandatory. Hard hats are also common in Ontario. It seems that hard hats cause a greater risk (overheating) than they might prevent on an open cutblock in Ontario. I'm surprised that there hasn't been a concerted industry effort to convince mills in Ontario to allow planters to use CSA-certified climbing helmets in lieu of hard hats. They're much cooler than hard hats, due to the ventilation, and they're also lighter.
It would be foolish to operate an ATV without wearing a helmet.
A faller's helmet is a hard hat with hearing protectors and a face shield, worn when using a chain saw.
Gloves and long sleeves are important when planting in areas with heavy brush.
It can get worse. You may need to plant through areas full of thorns, such as wild rose, devil's club, salmonberry, or other heinous plants.
On blocks with eye-poke hazards, a company should provide workers with safety glasses.
A good sunhat or head covering can minimize the chance of heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
Using sun screen is a wise idea to prevent a sunburn and skin cancer.
Good rain gear is essential for keeping a planter's body temperature warm enough to prevent hypothermia. It's also important to keep moving constantly.
Planters don't typically have to wear this much PPE, but some forms of PPE are definitely appropriate for planting work.
Some of the roads that we drive on are pretty rough.
Vehicle accidents are unfortunately more common than people admit.
If a truck rolls, the driver and occupants may still survive if they are wearing seatbelts. The foreman who was driving this truck (sole occupant) was wearing a seat belt, and suffered no injuries in this crash other than a small scratch on her leg.
A winch is permanently attached to a truck (or quad) and the motor and winch cable are sometimes able to pull the vehicle out of the mud, if the vehicle is stuck. Of course, there needs to be something sturdy for the cable to attach to, such as a large tree. Attach the cable as low as possible, to minimize the risk of pulling the tree over. Also, all bystanders should be at least two winch cable lengths away from the scene any time that the cable is under pressure, in case it snaps and hits a bystander.
This is an example of a crummy, which legally seats six people in the main body of the vehicle, and five more in the metal crummy attachment. This type of crummy has an opening between the back passengers and the driver's compartment (the back window of the truck is removed), and is thus much safer than crummy styles where a separate isolated "bus" is attached to the back of a truck.
Here's another example of a rolled truck. Again, everyone in this vehicle was wearing their seatbelts (six people in total), and everyone emerged without injuries.
Not only do you need to put on your own seatbelt, you also need to make sure that other occupants are wearing their seatbelts, so they don't become a projectile and injure you if the vehicle rolls.
Here's a winch bumper on the front of a truck. In this case, the entire bumper was almost torn off while using the winch, so you can see just how much tension there can be on the winch cable.
Here's a winch on the front of a truck.
It's common for backseat passengers to fall asleep on the drive to or from the block. However, it's always smart to have someone who remains awake to sit in the front seat and talk to the driver.
The person sitting in the front seat can help the driver by navigating, using either paper or digital maps.
If a truck is parked on a steep hill (common on coastal blocks, but not very common in areas where most first-year planters will be working) then it is always smart to block one or two of the wheels with rocks, above and beyond having the transmission in park and the emergency parking brake engaged.
Headlights get dirty quickly in the bush, and lose their effectiveness. If you have to drive after dark, it's smart to stop for a minute at dusk to wipe off your headlights, so you can see the road (and any hazards) more easily.
Having a clean license plate (and tail lights) helps reduce the risk that you'll be pulled over by the police or by a commercial vehicle safety officer.
A lot of the roads that we drive on are extremely dusty. A large number of accidents happen in tree planting camps due to drivers who are following other vehicles too closely on dusty roads. Stay well back from vehicles in front of you, and try to use your VHF radios as much as possible.
Drive carefully, so if you come upon a sudden hazard in the road, you're able to stop in time. Washouts can be a common problem in the spring.
Hitchhiking can be dangerous. Do some research about BC's "Highway of Tears."
It's common for crews to have a brief (five minute) "tailgate" meeting every morning, after getting to the block. This type of meeting is mandatory according to WorkSafe regulations. It's also a convenient opportunity for the foreman to explain the exact plan for the day. Planters like to know what's going on. Foremen will have less headaches to deal with later in the day if everyone on the crew knows what the daily plan is, and has contingency plans set in place (for example, knowing what piece you should head to if you finish your own piece and the foreman isn't around).
Know the symbol for "hazard." It is typical to find many hazards on blocks. Some are common to every block, and some are unique to specific blocks.
Slash is the debris left behind after logging a block. There won't be much slash on most of the blocks that most first-year planters work on (although you'll think that there is a lot). Someday, you might work on blocks where there IS a lot of slash, especially in BC's southern Interior, or on the BC coast.
Here's a block on the coast, with quite a bit of slash. The planter in this photo is Lars Zergun.
Here's a coastal planter, working on a block with a heavy slash load.
Some blocks are rocky, some are not. This one is.
Rocks can be a hazard because they can significantly increase the chance of tendonitis.
A snag is an unstable mature or fairly mature tree which has the potential to fall over and injure a passerby, or anyone working underneath it. Snags can be dead trees, or still living. They can be completely upright, or having an obvious lean.
The mountain pine beetle epidemic has turned a lot of pine trees into standing snags.
This tree may not be a snag, although it looks like one. What do you think? It has already fallen, and is resting firmly on the ground. However, it could snap in the middle and land on the road, so I'd still call it a snag and consider it to be dangerous.
For the most part, blocks that first-year planters work on will be flat or only feature moderate slopes. But there can occasionally be exceptions!
Here is a steep coastal block. It takes several years of experience in order to get onto a coastal planting crew, and the work is very difficult.
Here's another example of a steep coastal block.
Not all hazards are found on the blocks. Sometimes, the equipment that you use in camp can be a potential hazard. If you are working with an axe, make sure the head is firmly attached to the shaft.
Here's a broken axe. It would be bad if the head went flying and hit someone.
Inspect your tools carefully before using them.
In the event that a hazard cannot be controlled or contained, a suitable protocol might be to establish a no-work zone (NWZ).
Planters need to be prepared to work in all weather conditions. We even work in falling snow sometimes, although it's almost impossible to plant if there's more than an inch or two of snow on the ground.
Heavy rainfall can lead to flooding.
Being too hot can cause big problems for planters. There are different levels of heat exposure problems. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are the two most dangerous levels.
Heat stroke is the most dangerous level of heat stress. Heat stroke can be a life-threatening situation. Heat stress is common, and planters deal with it fairly regularly on hot days. Heat exhaustion is fairly dangerous, and a planter should cease work and seek shade, and hydrate themselves immediately. Heat exhaustion should be referred to immediate first aid and medical treatment to get the body core cooled properly.
You may have to work on some very cold days.
Nasty weather is also a problem.
On cold days, or when it's raining, a wool scarf is surprising comfortable.
The Henley brand from Stanfield's (also just referred to as a Stanfield's sweater), is a favorite wool sweater among loggers and coastal planters.
If lightning is starting to hit within a few kilometers of your block, it is probably wise to seek safety in a low area (not directly under a standing tree). It is safe to be inside a vehicle, because the rubber tires should insulate the vehicle from the ground, so lightning is not likely to hit the vehicle.
A block with many residuals can be dangerous during high winds.
Windthrow (or blowdown) is common when wind is strong enough to blow over mature trees.
A water crossing can be far more dangerous than it appears. Never cross running water that is more than knee deep, and never do it alone.
If it looks too dangerous to walk through or drive through, then it is. Don't go through it.
Some types of trees have pesticides sprayed on them. While the residual concentrations should not pose a threat to planters, one can never be too safe. If you plant trees that have pesticides on them, wash your hands before eating. You can ask your supervisor if the trees have pesticides on them. Not all seedlings do.
Some people do herbicide spray work after their planting season has ended. While this can be a bit of extra money, you also have to know how to handle the chemicals properly. Training will be required.
Some planters are not willing to endure the potential health risks of doing herbicide work.
Wildfires can be common during some dry planting seasons. This may cause complications for planting operations.
A large wildfire can be very dangerous, and can easily travel dozens of kilometers in a single day if the right ground and wind conditions are in place.
Open fires are often banned during a dry season.
If you're going to have a fire, build a good fire pit to contain it.
One planting company started a forest fire outside of Prince George, and were taken to court to pay for the costs of fighting the fire. It put that company out of business.
The effects of wildfires can be devastating.
Some wildfires are far too dangerous to fight directly.
The tailpipe of an ATV is hot enough to start a grass fire. This photo shows an ATV that started a fire in Hinton.
Here's a photo of some of the after-effects of the fire mentioned in the previous photo.
Here's a sign warning about campfire restrictions in Alberta.
Campfire bans can be common in July and August.
Be prepared to evacuate your camp if a wildfire threatens it.
Foresters will often require planters to smoke only on hard-packed main roads. If they catch a planter smoking inside the block, that planter will be removed from the project.
Don't smoke in the trucks.
Despite all the bad press about wildfires, they're an important part of forest renewal.
I wouldn't want to get too close to this bear.
Planters will probably be required to watch a "Bear Aware" training video.
Some forestry workers like to wear a "bear bell" so they are less likely to suddenly startle a bear.
Bear mace is a deterrent, although I wouldn't want to rely upon it as my only option. It's better to avoid contact with bears in the first place.
As you can see, bear mace doesn't spray very far. If a bear is close enough for you to spray it, you've probably already done something wrong. Note that this photo was intentionally color-edited quite heavily (and unrealistically) to better show the spray coming out of the container. A typical can of bear mace probably has less than twenty seconds worth of spray time. Couple that with the fact that it only sprays for a distance of about ten feet, and it will incapicate you even more than it bothers the bear if you're downwind, then you'll see why prevention is more important than reactive measures. If you're being threatened by a bear, do you want to rely on the hope that you're upwind?
Here's a mama bear with her baby bears. Very dangerous.
Leaving food in your tent is an open invitation for trouble.
If you come across a carcass, be careful. There may be bears nearby.
This is a black bear.
A grizzly bear can usually be distinguished by its concave snout and the visible hump of fat and muscle on its shoulders.
Cougars are potentially dangerous, although planters will very rarely see them other than very occasional sightings in BC's southern Interior, or on the BC coast. Smaller cats (bobcats and lynx) are much more common, and less dangerous.
Believe it or not, a cow can be dangerous! You may plant in areas with cows on your blocks. Be careful.
Coyotes are much smaller than wolves, but often run in packs, and can be very unpredictable. Coyotes have been known occasionally to attack humans.
It is common to come across a deer on your block.
Elk are not usually found on our blocks, but they're common if you're travelling through the national parks in Alberta.
Wolves are fairly uncommon sights, but certainly not unheard of. Although they are much larger than coyotes, they usually seem to be cautious around humans. However, don't turn your back on one.
A moose is quite large, and under certain conditions, may charge a planter. Run away. Here are three moose photographed on a cut block early in the morning.
There are lots of different insects that planters deal with, but mosquitos are one of the annoying types.
Not many planters wear bug nets in western Canada, but they may come in handy in northern Ontario, where the black flies are out of control.
Honey bee. There are lots of different types of bees in Canada. They're very important for our environmental ecosystems.
Here's one type of hornet, the Bald Faced Hornet.
Here's another type of hornet, the European Hornet.
Here's a photo of a wasp on my finger. If you don't piss them off, you probably won't get stung.
Here's an above-ground hornet or wasp nest. Be careful if you see one of these.
This nest was underground, and was broken open unexpectedly by a shovel. There's not much you can do to avoid these, except to keep your wits about you. It also helps if you're not listening to music, because you might be able to hear them buzzing, and get away before being stung. On a positive note, getting stings from hornets and wasps isn't usually a major problem until July/August.
Lyme disease is thought to be carried by ticks, and has bad long-term complications. Not much is known about lyme disease.
The planting community is becoming increasing aware of the potential risks of lyme disease. This is important, because global warming will probably result in ticks becoming more widespread throughout Canada.
Here's a photo that shows the size and shape of some types of ticks.
Here's another photo of a tick.
Anaphylaxis is the proper medical term for an allergic reaction.
Generic antihistamines. There are lots of name brands to choose from too, including Claritin, Aerius, Allegra, Reactin, and more. If you're taking them while planting, make sure you get a non-drowsy version.
An epipen can be used to counter anaphylactic shock.
General allergies (and allergic reactions to stings) can really be annoying.
Every camp should have a designated mustering point for emergencies.
Tendonitis is a common problem for some planters. Most companies have resources to help minimize the chance that you'll get tendonitis.
Every camp/crew should do a practice emergency evacuation or safety drill at the start of the season. Here's a crew returning to the trucks after a drill.
You may end up working with helicopters. "Step By Step" has a full chapter about working with helicopters.
Here's a planter working near a helicopter which is parked on a block. Don't use flagging tape anywhere near the landing zone of a helicopter. Even a tiny piece of flagging tape caught in the rotors or sucked into the engine can ground a helicopter for days.
Pilots will often ask planters to crouch beside the machine before it takes off.
Learn how to "heli-pack" your cardboard tree boxes if you're working around helicopters. This is safer than dealing with flattened boxes. You also need to make sure that no plastics are left loose where they can be blown around by helicopter backwash. Bundle wrappers can be a huge problem. Ask your crew boss or supervisor for advice. There may be special designated garbage boxes, or garbage bags, to collect loose plastics.
EMS stands for Environmental Management Systems.
H2S is a type of poisonous gas which can occasionally be found near some oil & gas infrastructure. This gas is very dangerous, and can potentially be fatal.
Some management people or workers may be asked to take an "H2S Alive" course before working near oil and gas infrastructure in Alberta or north-eastern BC.
The OFA1 course is the "Organizational First Aid, level 1." It is a basic one-day course that is offered in BC. It can be two days, if the optional Transportation Endorsement component is added. Other provinces have many other equivalent weekend courses in first aid, offered by institutions such as St. John's Ambulance, the Red Cross, and other private safety companies.
The OFA3 is a major two-week long course (plus exams) which is offered in BC. This is an intense workplace first aid certification which is suitable for dealing with emergencies in remote locations. If you're working for a company that plants trees in BC, there will probably be several people with this advanced training certification.
The S-100 is a wildfire suppression training course.
WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems, and all tree planters are usually put through a WHMIS course at the start of their season.
TDG stands for Transportation of Dangerous Goods. Many drivers have to have this training in order to safely transport large quantities of fuel, such as fuel barrels, large tidy tanks, etc.
Click here to see a page listing books related to reforestation in Canada. If you received a photocopied version of this book from your planting company, or you're a trainer at a Canadian planting company, click on this link for more information.
