The BC Wine Grape Council Health & Safety Committee mandate is to:
- Identify health & safety issues,
- Educate the industry by developing and offering training programs; and,
- Create resources for small and medium-sized wineries and vineyards.
In addition to Wine Grape Industry members, the Committee include Stakeholder representatives from:
- AgSafe
- Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC
- WorkSafe BC
- Health Canada, Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency
The H&S Committee meets 3 - 4 times per year and has an active role in facilitating workshops throughout the year. Workshops are generally low-cost ways for BCWGC Members to ensure staff is staying up-to-date with current OHS topics. Workshops are hosted in the Okanagan as well as in the Fraser Valley. Previous workshops included Pesticide Management, Confined Spaces, Airblast Sprayer Training, Tractor Safety, Wildlife Management, and Forklift Training. Sandra Oldfield is Chair of the H&S Committee; Rebecca Mikulic is Board Liaison.
The Health & Safety Committee has also developed the Health and Safety for Small and Medium-sized Wineries handbook in partnership with WorkSafe BC. This guide is complementary to all BC Wineries and can be accessed in the Guides section of our website: http://www.bcwgc.org/health-safety-guide
Mandate: Identify health & safety issues, educate the industry by developing and offering training programs, and creating resources for wineries and vineyards.
Current Committee Members Include:
Chair: Daneen Skilling
Board Liaison: Kent MacDonald
Recording Secretary: Kate Durisek, Executive Director, BCWGC
Industry
Erik Olexa (Arterra)
Robert Cleave (MRS)
John Bremmer (Mt. Kobau)
Reto Gebert (St. Hubertus)
Matt Mavety (Blue Mountain)
Dave Carson (Consultant)
Ashley Stasuk (Frind)
External Partners
Laura Feeny - Health Canada PMRA
Steve Marino - WorkSafe
Ron Macciborski - AgSafe
Kyle Hart - AgSafe
Sheldon McKee – Orenda Safety
Tyrion Miskell - BC Grapegrowers Association
Heidi Hare - Manufacturing Safety Alliance
Dareece Tomyn - Manufacturing Safety Alliance