Ensuring Worker Safety During Wind Events

New Safety Resource

The frequency and magnitude of fall and winter storms characterized by heavy rainfall and high winds seem to be increasing. A recent BC Hydro survey finds that 3 in 5 British Columbians say the worst fall/winter storm they have ever experienced has been within the past 5 years. BC Hydro data shows that severe weather events in the last 3 to 5 years have led to some of the most damaging storms in BC Hydro’s history. BC’s forest health aerial surveys show that the area of windthrown timber in 2021 (12,600+ ha) was 3 times the average over the last decade.

Wind events pose significant risks to people working on and traveling to and from woodlots and community forests.

This bulletin provides licensees, managers and workers with guidance and resources they can use to plan and conduct operations that minimize risk of injury to workers during those events.

Link to Bulletin