Forest Management Certification Assessment Report for - Rainforest ...

FSC PrincipleP4: CommunityRelations &Workers’ RightsComments from InterestedParties• Tembec has not yet set a rate for thenew designation of “registered foresttechnologist”, but due to higher jobaccountability the rate should behigher than non-registered foresttechnologists.• Ground-based harvesting is beingrequired on very steep slopes, withunacceptable risks to worker safety.• Low morale and high turnover inlogging crews are creating thepotential for increased accidents.Assessment Team Response• This is a new designation in the forestsector and the assessment teamconcluded that Tembec will pay acompetitive rate commensurate withthe qualifications required to completethe work. No non-conformance wasfound.• A review of safety records andinterviews with Worksafe BCrepresentatives did not reveal anincreased number of near misses oraccidents due to this practice. Howeverthere is an increasing use of groundbased equipment on slopes in excess of50% and significant concern fromworkers. The team found that there hasbeen misunderstanding about theWorkplace BC acceptance of a riskrating system developed by Tembec toassess the risks of ground skidding andmechanical harvesting on steep slopes.Additionally some logging contractorsfelt pressured to accept potentiallyunsafe work on steep slopes because ofthe pressures to cut logging costs. Theteam imposed CAR 9/06 to avoidfuture potential safety problems withthese practices on steep slopes.• A review of safety records andinterviews with Worksafe BCrepresentatives did not show anincrease in accidents at this time. ANote to future audits (4.2.2) was madeto reassess this in annual audits.Page 22 of 89