Information is changing rapidly and will be updated regularly.

As challenges caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to shift, the B.C. government and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer (PHO), are taking unprecedented measures to slow transmission of COVID-19.

In support of these efforts, the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) and Manufacturing Advisory Group (MAG) have developed resources for employers and workers that will ensure all necessary precautions are being taken to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission and illness to forest sector employees.

The resources reflect industry best practices and incorporate BC Provincial Health Agency and WorkSafeBC requirements to ensure the forest industry is taking the necessary steps to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

The safety of forest industry workers remains our top priority.

COVID-19:  SAFE Companies and WorkSafeBC COR audit requirements for 2020

Disclaimer

BCFSC documents and resources have been developed for industry as guidelines and reference documents for employers and employees to use to help reduce spread of COVID-19. BCFSC developed documents will contain COVID-19 information relevant at the time the document was created. As information is updated regularly, the BCFSC encourages workers and employers to visit the BC Centre for Disease Control for personal health care inquiries or visit WorkSafeBC for regulatory information relating to workplace safety.

Industry Resources and Information

• BCFSC COVID-19 Message to Members
• BC’s COVID-19 Restart Plan – New Section
  • BC’s Restart Plan
  • BC’s COVID-19 Go-Forward Strategy
  • BC’s Go Forward Strategy Checklist
  • WorkSafeBC Safe Return to Work
  • WorkSafeBC COVID-19 Return to Work Safely Approach –New
• Silviculture COVID-19 Restart Plan – New Section
  • COVID19 Infection Prevention and Control Protocol Template
  • COVID19 Infection Prevention and Control Protocol Instructions
  • BC COVID19 Self-Assessment
  • BC Public Health Silviculture Worker Camp Guidelines
  • Ministry of Forests Q&A 2020 Spring Tree Planting – COVID-19 Measures– New
  • Western Forestry Contractor’s Association (WFCA) COVID-19 includes Guidelines for Camps & Crews and Motels & Remote Accommodations
• Industrial Camps – New Section
  • BCFSC Industrial Camp Order Summary
  • BC Public Health Industrial Camps
  • BC Public Health Delegation Industrial Camps
  • Industrial Camps – Interim Communicable Disease Control Guidelines
• Workplace Hygiene and Safety Practices
  • BC Public Health Orders, Notices & Guidance
  • Provincial Statement on Guidance to BC manufacturers during COVID
  • Pandemic Contingency Plan
  • Exposure Control Plan
  • WorkSafeBC- How to Use a Mask – New
  • Face Shields – New
  • Workstation Hygiene
  • Surface Cleaning and Disinfecting
  • BCFSC Social Distancing Poster
  • The Hierarchy of Control to Support Essential Work Within 2M – April 9, 2020
  • COVID-19 and Management of Change – April 9, 2020
  • Pandemic Bowtie Example (Energy Safety Canada)
  • What If Protocol
  • Working From Home Employer
• Worker Safety
  • BCFSC Self-Monitoring
  • BCFSC Symptoms of COVID-19
  • BCFSC Working From Home – Employee Tips
  • BCFSC COVID-19 Protect Yourself
  • Symptom Self-Assessment Online Tool
• Auditor’s Resources – New Section
  • Biological Hazard Management Plan
  • Field Level Risk Assessment
  • Health Screening Assessment
  • Site Pre-visit Assessment
  • External Auditor Guidance Protocol
• Safety Alerts
  • Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Protect yourself, co-workers, friends and family from respiratory illness

WorkSafeBC COVID-19 Forestry Industry Information

• WorkSafeBC Forestry Industry Information
• COVID-19 Updates for Workers and Employers
• Health and Safety When Working from Home
• COVID-19 FAQs
• WorkSafeBC COVID-19 Safety Plan Checklist
• Designing Effective Barriers – New
• WorkSafe BC COVID-19 Forms and Resources – New
• Employee Premium Support for Approved CEWS Subsidy – New

Mental Health Tips & Resources

• Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions – Managing COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety and Depression
• World Health Organization Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak
• Canadian Mental Health Association (Kelowna) – Coronavirus: Managing Stress & Anxiety
• Vancouver Island Counselling – Emotional Health and Wellbeing and the COVID-19: Virus

Health Agency and Government Links

• For General Questions About COVID-19: in BC call 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319) 7:30am – 8pm every day
• BC Nurses Hotline: If you are symptomatic or for other health concerns call 811 (or 711 for hearing impaired)
• BC Centre for Disease Control
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• World Health Organization
• Know The Facts about COVID-19
• How to Be Prepared
• Prevention Procedures
• How to apply for COVID-19 EI sickness benefits
• Small businesses affected by Coronavirus
• Wildfire Smoke Exposure and COVID-19 – New

BSFSC’s Response

The BCFSC is open for business. However, as part of our commitment to keep our staff safe and to slow the spread of COVID-19, our offices are closed as of Friday, March 20, 2020.

BCFSC staff will be working remotely and are available by phone and email so please do not hesitate to reach out for any support or questions you may have. We appreciate your patience as we navigate the next couple weeks.

With respect to our day-to-day business, BCFSC has implemented the following best practices to reduce to the risk of exposure to our staff, members and affiliates who are connected to us. These practices will remain in place until further notice:
We have extended employee travel restrictions within our organization. These restrictions will impact: SAFE Company verifications, classroom training, new faller certifications. For information contact:

SAFE Companies: safeco@bcforestsafe.org or call 1-877-741-1060

BCFSC Training: training@bcforestsafe.org or call 1-877-741-1060

BCFSC Faller Department: faller@bcforestsafe.org or call 1-877-741-1060
Training (updated on Apr. 6) – We have postponed in-class courses until the end of May and will provide updates on future courses via our website and social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Please contact the BCFSC training department for more information on cancellations at; training@bcforestsafe.org
In-person activity is suspended. We are rescheduling face-to-face meetings and recommending conference call and videoconferencing options. Please contact your meeting organizer for more details.
We are postponing large committee meetings and events.

• BCFSC’s Response to COVID-19