Forest Management Certification Assessment Report for - Rainforest ...

CAR #: 9/06 Reference Standard #: 4.2.1Non-conformance: Description of non-conformance: The use of the WCB approved riskMajor Minor rating system for operating equipment on steep slopes was not fullyunderstood by some of Tembec’s logging supervisory personnel. Aswell, since the risk rating doesn’t make any reference to either the needto operate within the specifications for each machine or the OHSAregulation, equipment operators may not fully understand the level ofrisk they are accepting when they sign off on these ratings. Duringinterviews, the team heard that some logging contractors felt intimidatedinto accepting potentially unsafe work on steep slopes.Corrective Action Request:Tembec shall• incorporate the OHS regulation sections related to steep slope harvesting into the riskrating systems for ground skidding and mechanical falling on steep slopes to ensure thatcontractors and forest workers are aware that harvesting on slopes in excess of the OHSregulation is generally prohibited;• train staff, logging and harvesting supervision contractors and forest workers on theproper application of the risk rating systems for ground skidding and mechanical fallingon steep slopes;• ensure contractors are aware that, to operate on steep slopes, structures such as skidtrails must be constructed and other safe work procedures implemented to mitigatehazard;• ensure that forest workers are fully informed of the potential safety risks of groundbasedskidding and mechanical falling on steep slopes, and are provided full informationabout their right to refuse unsafe work without discrimination; and,• establish an annual review of the implementation of the steep slope assessmentprocedures and risk ratings to ensure the adequacy of the procedure and make changesas needed.Timeline for Conformance: By the end of Year 1 of certification.CAR #: 10/06 Reference Standard #: 5.1.4Non-conformance: Description of non-conformance: Neither the “Identification andMajor Minor Assessment of Environmental Aspects” process, nor the “DecisionSupport Tool” that are being developed by Tembec includes a specificprocess to set benchmarks for reducing costs that have been identified.In the absence of this process, benchmarks for reducing social andenvironmental costs are absent.Corrective Action Request:Tembec shall elaborate a process to set benchmarks for reducing environmental, social andoperational costs that have been identified.Page 83 of 89