Forestry Contractors Endorse BC Forest Safety Ombudsman Report on Emergency Medical Services
Contractors who operate forestry crews across the province have endorsed BC Forest Safety Ombudsman Roger Harris’ report on improving emergency medical services in rural British Columbia saying its recommendations will make their industry safer. The report Will It Be There? A report on helicopter emergency services in B.C. was released last week. It summarizes a year-long investigation into the challenges of getting seriously injured forestry workers from remote sites to emergency care.
“The BC Safety Ombudsman makes recommendations that are very important and relevant to our sector,” said John Lawrence, President of the Western Forestry Contractors’ Association (WFCA). “The report is thorough and well researched. Roger Harris and the BC Forest Safety Council deserve credit for recognizing the seriousness of this problem and making practical recommendations that will increase the safety of our workers across B.C.”
The WFCA estimates the forestry contracting sector employs over 8,000 workers who plant trees, survey forests, lay out roads, and tend plantations. Their work is spread across the province; often at some distance from emergency services. In the past ambulances have had difficulty reaching injured workers because of the conditions of roads and access.
The BC Safety Ombudsman’s report recommends Government mandate guaranteed timelines for access to appropriate trauma care for all British Columbians; and that there be a review of the current legislation as it pertains to BC ambulance services. Roger Harris states that all British Columbians, not just workers, should be within one hour of an appropriate trauma center. For much of this province this would mean a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) system similar to jurisdictions such as Alaska and Washington states.
“As the report lays out other jurisdictions with similar landscapes and geography to our province have HEMS,” said Lawrence. “We believe this kind of system needs to be considered by our provincial government as a benefit to workers and residents. In the meantime we will continue our efforts to reduce injuries in our sector. But having HEMS to back us up would make a significant difference to reducing the consequences of accidents and injuries.”
I've attached a copy of the report to this post. This should be required reading for anyone and everyone in management at every level, at every company.
It's also a direct link here: http://www.replant.ca/docs/HEMS_Report_ ... b-2017.pdf
