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What does the SAFE Companies program mean?

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The letters SAFE stand for Safety Accord Forestry Enterprise.

The Safe Companies program was an initiative developed by the BC forest sector to address safety in the forest industry. It was designed to provide assistance for companies in improving their safety performance and to evaluate company safety programs using industry recognized audit protocols.

Since the inception of this program, the types and sizes of companies that can be evaluated using one of three different audit tools has changed.  

  • BASE audit (Basic Audit Safety Evaluation)  is for companies that have 20 or more workers, 
  • SEBASE audit (Small Employer BASE)  is for companies that have between 6 and 19 workers, 
  • ISEBASE audit (Independent Small Employer BASE) is for companies between 2 -5 persons and 
  • Independent Owner Operator (IOO)  program is for independent owner operators of 1 person companies.

More companies are becoming SAFE CERTIFIED!

I have been getting alot of enquiries lately from companies who are Individual Owner Operator mechanics and crane companies for example who want to become certified because they feel they may be loosing out on work to other companies that are safe certified.

It’s a great idea to get the designation regardless because it makes sense to continuously be looking at your safety practices and think how you can  improve on them. I am always looking at better ways of conducting my business as well as yours more effectively and efficiently.

I get satisfaction from seeing workers wanting to talk about safety concerns at safety meetings and genuinely contributing to the companies overall safety program.

How Can You Generate More business? Become SAFE CERTIFIED

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Safe Certification Opens Up More Opportunities

First Nations Communities and Partnerships become SAFE CERTIFIED

I have been working closely with First Nations Communities throughout BC with the 5 -Pack Fire Crew submissions. Many of the communities or the General Partnerships are Safe Certified through the BC Forest Safety Council or are working towards it.

What Does Safe Certification Do For You?

Companies or Communities who are Safe Certified have an elevated status as a company that cares about its employees by promoting a safe environment. A company that attracts a workforce with a focus on going to work and coming home at the end of the day.

It also allows you to bid on contracts for most Major Licensee’s, BC Timber Sales and Forests For Tomorrow. I have seen firsthand the successes that follow Safe Certification. When I started working for Anaham Band in 2008, I was asked to look for economic opportunities for the community to get more people to work. I started looking at what was out there for forestry work and although there were lots of contracts to bid on,  Anaham wasn’t Safe Certified and therefore not eligible to bid.

The Band had two companies registered as businesses, so I looked at them both and decided to register Klatassine Resources Ltd. Our first big planting job was a direct award through the Forests For Tomorrow program and we received our certification number days before we started. When we got the Certificate in the mail, I framed it and hung it up in the main office to let everyone see. I was starting to see a change in the crews and how they viewed themselves.

Work Opportunities Pour In

Silviculture workers identifying Danger Trees

I started phoning West Fraser and Tolko looking for opportunities. Once they realized we were Safe Certified, the work started pouring in. We were awarded contracts for Mistletoe Eradication, Beetle Probing, Tree Planting, Grass Seeding deactivated roads, Road construction and Logging Services Contracts. We went from a 3 to 4 truckload/day logging company to well over 12 truckloads/day. The workers were happy to have safety meetings and talk about their safety concerns.

We bid on contracts along with other companies, sometimes successfully sometimes not, but regardless of the outcome at least we were eligible to bid!

I started to put decals on our company vehicles and proudly displayed the Safe Certified Logo on. I enjoyed watching our vehicles run around town.  The other nearby First Nations communities have jumped on board and are getting Safe Certified as well.

An effective safety program improves your business.

How Simple is SAFE Certification?

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Develop a Safety Program That’s Simple to Use


You don’t need a $5000 Safety program to help your company achieve and maintain its SAFE CERTIFICATION. If you take a look at the BC Forest Safety Council’s website and pull up the Audit section, you can see what the Council is requiring for you to meet its standards. Our Safety Programs target key points that have to be addressed by your company for the Audit Submission to be successful.

Forms That Capture More Information

Instead of using Multiple Inspection, Evaluating and Reporting Forms for your business to achieve and maintain Safe Certification, we have developed templates that capture all the information you need on one page. It makes it easier to complete your audit each year because you can refer back to that one form for more that one of the Audit questions. It also lessens the amount of paperwork you need to fill out on site.

More About Craig Kennedy Forestry and Safety

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Why I Chose Forestry and Safety

My path to a career in forestry and safety has had many curves. Working in the Forest Industry has always appealed to me. I like being outside so Forestry seemed like a good career choice. My career in Forestry began in 1990 after graduating from an Ontario college with a Forest Technician Diploma.

I kicked around Nova Scotia for a couple of years working in the forest industry before heading west to British Columbia. The only exposure I ever had to BC was watching the Beach Combers on CBC Sunday nights after Walt Disney.

Once here, I worked in various positions with the Ministry of Forests from 1993 to 2002. Places like Fort St. John, Quesnel and Alexis Creek. In 2002 I accepted a job with Riverside Forest Products in Williams Lake, as an assistant area supervisor and then later as a Forest Technician when they became TOLKO. I learned lots and enjoyed the challenges there.

Tailgate meetings are an essential part of your safety program

Opportunities in Williams Lake BC

In 2006, an opportunity came up for a promotion as a Forestry Manager with Sigurdsons Brothers in Williams Lake. That was also a rewarding and challenging position, especially in tough economic times.

2007 found me moving on once again, although not by choice, you have to understand that there is no real job stability in the Forest industry. I applied for employment Insurance immediately and then went to ESP Consultants where I was introduced to the good folks at Community Futures.

I hadn’t really considered being an entrepreneur and the thought of it scared me. My idea was to start a business to help forestry companies become Safe certified. I have to say thanks to my wife Sue for having confidence in me and supporting me throughout the whole process. She is one of the reasons for my success. Support is everything when you move into the unknowns in life.

A Business Plan About Safety

So with the help of the staff at Community Futures, I forged ahead with a business plan and was accepted into the Self Employment program. The whole process to get the business up and running was challenging and exciting. I officially started in February with 2 clients and now have over 30 who have hired me to help them become Safe Certified.

Most of my business has been picked up from word of mouth and a little advertising thanks to LeRae at the Cariboo Advisor. I enjoy working with people and get great satisfaction from seeing their businesses pass their safety audits and become Safe Certified. I love working for myself, it gives me the flexibility to spend more time with my family and be more involved.

Being Self-employed is a real confidence booster and it prepares you for even bigger challenges as you move through life. Opportunities always present themselves and self-employment gives you the tools needed to be successful in anything you do.