BC Forest Safety Council 2012-08-14

BC Forest Safety Council:FOA learns more about safety and how to implement techniques and methodology from the BC Forest safety Council

Submitted by Bruce Macdonald on Tue, 2012-08-14 08:18

The FOA was honoured to have as one of our guests at a recent board meeting; Mr. Peter Lineen.  Mr. Lineen presented an informative and enlightening presentation to the board members regarding the BC Forest Safety Council. As the FOA is striving for and seeking out ‘Best Practices’, we are always trying to bring forward anyone who can help us reach this goal. Having some similar concerns with Safety and by allowing us the opportunity to study the BCFSC approach regarding safety concerns, we came away from the presentation with more knowledge and some fresh ideas on how to best advance our efforts with safety.

In 2004 and 2005 the harvesting sector of the province experienced a tremendous surge in the number of fatalities in the industry. As a result of this unfortunate fact, a taskforce was assembled along with a series of inquests to focus on and make recommendations for addressing these accidents. In 2005 the task force presented a ‘Forest Safety Task Force Report’ which released 20 recommendations. Of those 20 recommendations, a co-ordinated approach to managing Safety across the board by managing safety across BC was brought forward.  The industries response to this recommendation was the establishment of the BC Forest safety Council.

Mr. Lineen stated that since the Councils inception, fatalities have dropped to half from their previous numbers. As we can learn from the methodology used by the BC Forest Safety council, the FOA board took away from the presentation many useful ideas and suggestions. Mr. Lineen was kind enough to offer any assistance he and the council can provide us as we strive forward with making the skies safer for everyone.

June 2012:

FOA enlightened by photoluminescence 2012-09-04

FOA enlightened by photoluminescence

Submitted by Bruce Macdonald on Tue, 2012-09-04 08:30

In March of this year, the Board of the FOA was presented with a remarkable product for improving on Commercial Aviation Safety. Richard and Irene Martin from ‘Afterglow’ displayed and described their photoluminescent materials to the board; a product that allows for better markings of egress/strike points/ cockpit switches etc., when applied in low-light illumination situations. Low-light illumination application is one of the concerns that the FOA is looking into and since this product works without any need for battery or auxiliary sources of energy while functioning. The applications of this for aircraft exit points, can be very beneficial. The FOA board immediately saw the potential for this product’s use in aircraft applications and in many areas where illumination is critical for improving upon Safety.   Applied at all exit points throughout the American Pentagon, oil and gas platforms, obstructions, ladders, steps, crane-booms, towers, guy-wires, cleared pathways, handrails, and applied in many of the American military’s aircraft, are just some of the examples in which this product is being used. ‘Afterglow’ sees a bright future for their product with civilian aircraft applications and clearly convinced the board of Afterglow’s benefits. Many of the board members are moving ahead with this product and are applying this luminescent placarding to their exit points and throughout their aircraft. On contacting Mr. Martin/Afterglow, a dedicated staff will work with the membership to facilitate custom made packages to suit their individual needs. A discount arrangement is being worked-out by the Afterglow Company (to members in good standing) as well as offering to provide all and any information requested on this amazing product. Go to www.afterglowdirect.com

August 2012: