The province says it plans to appeal the amount of a penalty imposed by WorkSafeBC for sa国际传媒渦nsafesa国际传媒� wildfire practices in B.C.sa国际传媒檚 northeastern region.

WorkSafeBC issued the $710,488 administrative penalty on Oct. 26, 2023, according to the recently posted decision. The incident happened in Wonowon, about 89 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John.

The decision states the provincial government was the owner of the worksite where tree falling and other wildfire fuel reduction activities were taking place, and when WorkSafeBC inspected the site, they found evidence of sa国际传媒渦nsafe falling cuts, including stumps with insufficient holding wood.sa国际传媒�

WorkSafe added that the province didnsa国际传媒檛 verify tree faller certification and didnsa国际传媒檛 actively monitor work, sa国际传媒渁s required by its falling safety program.sa国际传媒�

sa国际传媒淎s owner of a forestry operation, the employer failed to ensure all activities were both planned and conducted in a manner consistent with regulatory requirements and with safe work practices acceptable to WorkSafeBC.sa国际传媒�

In an emailed response to Black Press Media, B.C. Forests Ministry said the province agrees that process improvements are warranted, but that the amount of the penalty imposed is sa国际传媒渁rbitrary and disproportionately high.sa国际传媒�

The ministry says the penalty was calculated using he entire Government of B.C.sa国际传媒檚 payroll for what they sa国际传媒渂elieve should be a specific location infraction.sa国际传媒� It will appeal the penalty to sa国际传媒渆nsure it is appropriate for the level of work carried outsa国际传媒� and the region it happened in.

sa国际传媒淲e are disappointed by what happened. Everyone should be able to perform their work safely. We are taking action, working with all contractors and sub-contractors to ensure we meet the high standards we always strive to achieve.sa国际传媒�

The statement adds that the ministry requires that all contractors are Safety Accord Forest Enterprise certified, which means the contractor has its own safety program to ensure safety certification standards are met along with WorkSafeBC Regulations.

The Forests Ministry will be reviewing its safety and contracting processes and procedures to ensure all contractors meet the current requirement to be fully certified for hazardous work, such as falling trees.

READ MORE: