Tree Planting Resource Manual 2015

Transcription

Tree Planting Resource
Manual 2015
Congratulations!
We are pleased to offer you a job with Brinkman & Associates Reforestation
Ltd. This Tree Planting Resource Manual outlines what you should expect
from tree planting and from Brinkman. It also points out what we expect
from you. It is meant to be referred to before, during, and after the planting
season – so please keep a copy for your reference.
Note: while this manual is geared more towards first year planters, there is pertinent info
in here that seasoned vets also need to know about the way Brinkman operates. Please do
take the time to read the entire manual, as it is our expectation you will be familiar with this
information prior to working with us. This is the first step in your training as an employee
of Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd..
Our first expectation is simple: please immediately send us your acceptance – preferably via
email – to confirm that you are accepting our offer of employment. Please reply to the email
that accompanied this manual.
Your email response should:
1. Specify your commitment to planting with Brinkman from the start of the contract
until the last tree is planted.
2. Indicate that you have read, understood and agree with the contents of this Resource
Manual as well as the SWP for Treeplanters (please see appendix 1 for this document).
3. Also provide:
a. your full legal name
b. a fail-proof contact number
c.
your email address
d. your Social Insurance Number
Please send your response email as soon as possible. If we do not receive a letter of
acceptance from you within a week, we will recruit another applicant for the position. Upon
receipt of your email, we will reply to you with an acceptance of your confirmation.
Note: We will be contacting our people primarily by email, and providing all the
information and instructions you need for the season (including pay stubs) through this
route as well. As mass emails seem to be rejected by an ever-increasing number of email
accounts, please ensure that “brinkman.ca” is on your contact list, so that our emails are not
relegated to your junk folder or rejected altogether. Skipping this step may result in the
loss of some important information.
Copyright held by Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd.
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After we receive your confirmation, we will contact you at least a few weeks in advance of
your season with a start-up-date, your contract’s location, your Project Manager, and
mustering directions to your meet up location.
Our start-up dates are typically in early May, though in BC they can start as early as
February. They vary from year to year, according to weather conditions, stock availability,
the location, and particularly the elevation you will be working within. As soon as we
receive the go-ahead from our clients, we will contact you. Be warned – these initial dates
often change a week or two later! Always check your email and/or call us before you head
up to your contract.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Judi Tetro
Operations Manager
Matt Robertson
B.C. Regional Manager
Timo Scheiber
B.C. Operations Manager
Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd. Contact Information
Head Office
Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd.
520 Sharpe Street New Westminster, B.C., V3M 4R2
Office: (604) 521.7771
www.brinkman.ca
[email protected]
Judi Tetro
Operations Manager
367 MacKay Street Ottawa, Ontario K1M 2C3
Email: [email protected]
Office: (613) 745-6618
Cell: (780) 237-1301
Neil Whan
Ontario Contract Coordinator
Box 29097 Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6P9
Office: (807) 285-1295
Cell: (807) 632-2508
Matt Robertson
BC Regional Manager
Mail to Head Office
Office: (250) 642-1716
Cell: (250) 709-7070
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Timo Scheiber
BC Operations Manager
Mail to Head Office
Office: (250) 746-7037
Cell: (250) 850-9015
John Beaton
BC Coastal Coordinator
Mail to Head Office
Office: (250) 400 0987
Cell (250) 465 0987
For Health + Safety Concerns or Questions:
Robin C. McCullough
Occupational Health + Safety Coordinator
Mail to Head Office
Office:. 604-521-7771 ext. 104
cell: 778-229-1581
fax: 604-520-1968
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Tree Planting Resource Manual 2015: Table of Contents
The Company ............................................................................................................................................7
Our Health and Safety Program ............................................................................................................... 9
The Job .................................................................................................................................................... 11
Job Training............................................................................................................................................ 14
Quality ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
Expectations ........................................................................................................................................... 15
Gearing up for Planting ...................................................................................................................... 17
Getting Prepared .............................................................................................................................. 17
Mental Preparation .......................................................................................................................... 17
Physical Preparation ........................................................................................................................ 18
Other keys to avoiding Injury/Illness ................................................................................................20
How to avoid injuries from improper shovel use: .........................................................................20
The Support Staff………………………………………………………………....………................................…21
The Project Manager ....................................................................................................................... 22
The Logistics Manager .................................................................................................................... 22
The Quality Assessor ....................................................................................................................... 23
The Cook and Assistant Cook........................................................................................................ 23
The First Aid Attendant................................................................................................................... 23
The Planter Representative ............................................................................................................ 23
The OH+S Representative .............................................................................................................. 23
A Typical Day in the Life of a Tree Planter ..................................................................................... 22
Camp Life ................................................................................................................................................ 25
Food and Nutrition ............................................................................................................................... 27
Frequently asked Questions ............................................................................................................... 28
How will I get to the contract? .........................................................................................................28
Can I bring my car? ................................................................................................................................26
When will the contract start and finish? ..........................................................................................30
What if I have to leave the contract early?......................................................................................30
Even More Frequently Asked Questions… ...................................................................................... 31
What will my day look like? .................................................................................................................31
How do I keep track of how many trees I plant each day? ..................................................... 32
What is the ratio of Experienced to Inexperienced Planters? ....................................................33
Will I ever get a day off? .......................................................................................................................34
What is the male to female ratio? ......................................................................................................35
Can I receive mail?............................................................................................................................ 35
What if I get hurt or sick? .....................................................................................................................35
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Can I bring my dog? ........................................................................................................................ 36
Can I bring my laptop? ..........................................................................................................................37
What about Bears? .................................................................................................................................37
How can I dispel my parent’s fears about tree planting? ...........................................................38
What is Brinkman’s camp cost? .................................................................................................... 40
Can I deduct my equipment purchases from my taxes? .............................................................40
What about Vacation Pay? ...................................................................................................................41
What do I have to sign before I start planting? .............................................................................41
What if I find mistakes on my paystubs? .........................................................................................41
Equipment List for Brinkman Tree Planters.................................................................................... 42
Personal Camping equipment ............................................................................................................43
Field and Safety equipment.................................................................................................................44
Work Clothes...........................................................................................................................................47
Boots ..........................................................................................................................................................48
Suggested Extras .............................................................................................................................. 49
Bags and Shovels ....................................................................................................................................50
Where to buy planting equipment: .................................................................................................. 52
Other Available Work… ....................................................................................................................... 54
ChristmasParty .........................................................................................................................................55
Next Year ............................................................................................................................................ 55
Hiring................................................................................................................................................... 55
Appendix One: Safe Work Practice: Tree Planting........................................................................ 59
Appendix Two: Tree Planter Job Description ................................................................................. 54
Appendix Four: Sample Training Day Timeline ............................................................................. 64
Appendix Five: Letter for Your Parents / Loved Ones ................................................................. 65
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Who is Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd.?
The Company
Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd. is Canada's oldest and foremost
reforestation company. We have planted over ONE BILLION trees since our
inception in 1970. Brinkman is recognized as a leader and innovator throughout the forest
industry, and our underlying approaches to silviculture and restoration services are based
on ecologically sound practices. Our clients include private forest industry companies and
government agencies in British Columbia, Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario,
Quebec, and the United States.
Under the leadership of Dirk
Brinkman, the company has
been a driving force in the
development of Canada's
reforestation industry. A
founding
member
of
silviculture
contractor
associations across
Canada,
Brinkman
has
participated
on
many
steering committees and
roundtables
addressing
provincial
national and
forest resource issues. Many
of
the
company's
innovations in equipment
and operations have become industry standards, including planting bags and spades,
girdling, mixed species/microsite planting, on-site camps, and seedling containers.
Since 1970 the company has expanded its services in response to the changing needs and
opportunities in Canada’s forest industry. Although planting remains the core activity,
Brinkman now offers many other silviculture services to its clients, including: juvenile
spacing, brushing, conifer release, power girdling, pruning, cone picking, slash burning, as
well as a full range of survey capabilities.
The broad range of services that Brinkman offers have proven effective in a variety of
ecosystems within Canada and internationally. Its success and professional reputation are
due to its people, a core staff group that has built 35 specialized crews with over 1000
seasonal employees.
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Brinkman is pleased to be a long term supplier to many of Canada's major forestry
companies, some for more than 35 continuous years.
Brinkman’s head office is in New Westminster, BC. We have 20 full-time office staff who
manage our Canada-wide operations. Your payroll is processed here, and our policies and
procedures are created and reviewed here, using feedback from our various satellite offices
and field crews. We have satellite offices in northern and southern Ontario, and on
Vancouver Island.
Why work with a big company like Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd.?
There are many advantages to working with a larger, more established company such as:
• Long-term relationships with clients
• Larger infrastructure, which means better camps and less
downtime, plus greater mobility across regions
• Long season available
• Financially stable company
• Paid regularly (twice per month after initial project setup), with
direct deposit into your bank account
• Excellent Occupational Health and Safety program
• Highly experienced staff
• Exceptional training program
Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd. is also known as a “planter-oriented” company.
This means that it is part of our overarching policy to treat our planters well, with respect,
and to solicit and use feedback from all of our workers. Reasonable planting hours and
shift schedules reflect our understanding of planter burnout and injury rates, and our
commitment to reducing injury frequency and severity.
Brinkman does not impose quality fines on its workers. We also pay our planters in full
during the contract every two weeks, using direct deposit into your bank account, so you
see the money you are making during the contract. Please note that your first paycheque
cannot be deposited until all of the contract startup paperwork is completed – so providing
your project staff with the requested information is very important! Our food and our camps
are of a famously high standard. For all these reasons and more, we have one of the highest
return rates in the industry.
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For more information please visit the Brinkman Group website: http://www.brinkman.ca.
This site is the hub from which our various websites extend; see the table below for details.
Company Name
Brinkman & Associates
Reforestation Ltd.
Brinkman Forest Ltd.
BARCA
Brinkman Restoration
Brinkman Earth Systems
Brinkman Climate
Service Provided
Website Domain
Forest Renewal
Resource Stewardship
Tropical Forests
Living Infrastructure
Research & Development
Carbon Finance
www.brinkmanreforestation.ca
www.brinkmanforest.ca
www.barcaforestal.com
www.brinkmanrestoration.ca
www.brinkmanearthsystems.ca
www.brinkmanclimate.com
Stay connected with the Brinkman planting community online. ‘Like’ our Facebook page
at Brinkman Treeplanter’s Hub and ‘follow’ our Twitter feed @Brinkmantrees.
Our Health and Safety Program
Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd. is committed to ensuring the health and safety of
every worker in all of the company's operations. We have a long and proud history of being
involved in the improvement of safety in the silviculture industry, and were directly involved
with the development of minimum silviculture camp standards in BC, silviculture health and
safety standards in Alberta and Ontario, and the development of minimum safety guidelines
for silviculture workers with the Worker’s Compensation Board of BC.
Brinkman’s operations have long been certified by various provincial, industry-governing
safety bodies. In fact we were amongst the first companies in each province to do so, and
we have maintained our position as industry leaders in this regard. We are proud that our
commitment to safety has resulted in the following formal industry recognition:
1. In Alberta: since 1999, we have held accreditation with the Alberta Forest Product
Association’s Partners in Injury Reduction program.
2. In Ontario: since 2002, we have been members of the Worker’s Safety Insurance
Board-sponsored Workplace Safety North Advantage Group program.
3. In BC: since 2007, we have held the BC Forest Safety Council’s Safe Company
Certification.
These commitments ensure not only that our Occupational Health and Safety Program is
approved by the relevant provincial worker safety regulatory body, but also that we are
continually improving and keeping up-to-date with changing safety requirements. Our
worksites are assessed regularly for hazards, our workers are well trained, our camps and
equipment are regularly inspected, and our management-worker communication protocols
are both well-established and always adapting and improving.
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Each of our remote field camps and projects has a Field Safety Committee – with the exception
of our very small camps, which usually have an elected Safety Representative. These
Committees (and/or Representatives) communicate – through the in-camp OH+S Program
Representative and through Safety Meeting documentation – with our Central Safety
Committee, which operates out of the Head Office.
The Field Safety Committee in your camp is comprised of two staff members, as well as at
least two planters elected by their peers – you! This Committee plays an important role in
documenting, reviewing and investigating Health and Safety concerns that may arise at the
camp or during the planting operations. These people are there to listen to you, and are a
very important part of our company OH+S program. There is always information that will
never make it back to Head Office without your participation – and if we don’t hear about it,
we can’t work to change it.
We also have an Ombudsperson, who can be independently and anonymously contacted
through the Ombudsman email address:
[email protected]
While the Ombudsperson is not a replacement for our regular channels of communication,
he or she is another one of the resources we provide.
Every Brinkman worker is responsible for following all safety rules and safe work procedures.
These are outlined in our formal Orientation process, and made visible via handouts and
Safety Board notices. We have material available in French, and also formal processes for
orienting workers who arrive late. It is critical that you get the information you need to do
your job, and to safely live together in camp; if you feel unsure of your rights and
responsibilities, please check out our camp Safety Board, as well as the OH+S materials
available in the Planter Resource Library.
Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd. meets or exceeds all provincial first aid
requirements, including the provision of first aid equipment, emergency transport, and first
aid personnel. Every Brinkman crew includes at least one First Aid Attendant, whose job it is
to:
1. Treat injuries, as well as document and report any timeloss injuries to Head Office
immediately
2. Maintain the first aid kits and equipment properly
3. Help in the prevention of reoccurring injury
The company is required by provincial legislation to report any work related injuries
immediately to the appropriate authorities. The First Aid Attendant in a key person in this
process. It is important that you know who the attendant is, and that you report any injuries
as soon as possible.
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Bullying & Harassment Response Protocols
The Company takes complaints and instances of violence, bullying and/or harassment very
seriously. We expect all of our employees – from field workers to senior management – to
conduct work activities, as well as their shared free time, respectfully and professionally.
Harassment, bullying, or violent behavior will not be tolerated. Our management staff
receive training in Harassment Response Protocols, and the process by which complaints or
incidents can be reported is outlined during our Project Orientation.
Our collective goal is the creation of a safe, positive and fun work experience for all workers,
in a healthy body and an injury free work place. Let’s work together to achieve this!
THE JOB
The job has two essential components: safety,
and planting trees. These are the foundations on
which all of our operations rest.
Health and Safety on the Job
Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd., as part
of the Brinkman Group, is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment
for all people working within the overall organization. We are also committed to promoting
positive health and safety attitudes in all of our workers. For a lot of you, this will be your
first job or extended period away from home. Did you know that young people (up to age
24) are statistically more likely to get hurt on the job? It is very important to pay attention,
to know your rights, and to know where to get information. This manual is a great start.
Management (your Project Manager and all support staff) will set an example and provide
leadership in our Occupational Health and Safety Program. Some of the key items your
Managers are responsible for are:
Providing a safe worksite by following practical and
effective health and safety policies
e.g. setting up a site specific Emergency Response Plan
•
• Ensuring safe work procedures are followed
e.g. conducting Daily Crew Safety Meetings at the start
of every new block and enforcing our Designated
Driver Program
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• Providing adequate equipment, training and education
e.g. ensuring that crew vehicles are safe to operate and transport passengers
Management is not the only participant in our Health and Safety program. Some of the key
things each worker is responsible for are:
• Being aware of the requirements of the law and our Health
and Safety Program, as it relates to your work.
e.g. participating in your crew’s Daily Crew Safety Meeting
and reporting Field Incidents and injuries
• Following all safety rules and safe work procedures.
e.g. using hand sanitizer or washing your hands with soap
after going to the bathroom
Reporting unsafe conditions or acts, and thereby working
cooperatively toward the prevention of incidents at work.
e.g. letting your Project Manager, a staff person, or your
Planter Representative know if you’ve been in a vehicle
that has been driven unsafely
•
Planting
Although good physical health is key to
becoming a great tree planter, even more
crucial is the motivation to do your best and the
ability to cope in unusual circumstances. Tree
planting is one of the most physically and
mentally challenging jobs you will ever
encounter. This job requires you to do the same
arduous task thousands of times a day, often in
a cloud of bugs, a terrible rainstorm, or in
blisteringly hot temperatures. It is not for the faint of heart or the weak of spirit. Neither is
it a job that allows for long lunches and afternoon coffee breaks. Rather, as seasonal
employment, it requires you to take advantage of every minute, and plant as many good
quality trees as possible in the time you have. The satisfaction at the end of a hard day of
planting is hard to beat.
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You were hired to plant for Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd. because you
demonstrated:
• A motivation to do your best every day.
• Physical strength and stamina.
• Tolerance for unfamiliar weather, as well as (at times) uncomfortable living and
working conditions.
• An ability to live and work co-operatively in a group.
All of these strengths will be necessary to get through a single day of tree-planting. Most
important, however, is the ability to cope with the unexpected. Expect the unexpected! We
know it’s a cliché, but planting is all about snow in June, a piece of land the size of Nunavut,
bear anxieties, a foot-soaking swamp adjacent to a sandy beach, the need to manage for
repetitive strain injuries, or scorching sun followed by hail. Sometimes all in the same day.
You need, perhaps above all else, to be able to roll with the punches, and still plant hard
all day every day.
For the new or “Green” planter:
Tree planting may sound easy, but it is a skill
that takes time to master. You should be
committed to planting for at least 2 years;
many planters do not get up to speed until
the very end of their first season. Your first
year is an investment for years to come –
both financial (in terms of the equipment
expenses) and time. PLEASE DO NOT
CONSIDER TREE-PLANTING IF YOU ARE
ONLY ABLE TO COMMIT FOR ONE YEAR. You
will have to work hard every day, and no one
else can do it for you.
Job Training
A good job-specific training program is
fundamental to success. If you’re new
to planting, or new to working with us,
you will need to be trained. At
Brinkman, we have developed a
program that enables you to quickly
reach your highest earning potential
while planting quality trees.
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We will do everything possible to help you reach your goals, your earning expectations
should take into consideration the time required to learn. Although it varies by conditions
and region, individual training typically lasts for the first few days. You will then be
immersed in a regular crew of inexperienced and experienced planters.
There are a few key approaches to making as much money as possible in your first year:
• Be in great – not good – shape when you arrive
• Complete the Fit-to-Plant pre-season training program (explained further in this
Manual – read on!)
• Work hard all day every day
• Watch the good planters, and request to plant with one
• Ask questions
• Set goals for yourself (bag up times, total # of bag ups/day, total # of trees/day)
• Stretch – you can use our Dynamic Warmup and Cooldown routines!
• Eat well and stay hydrated
See Appendix Three for a sample training day timeline, and see the physical readiness
section for more info on how to show up ready to make it rain!
Quality
Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd. quality
control system is predicated on an open and
consistent exchange of information between our
clients and our employees. Although the Project
Manager is ultimately responsible for the
implementation of all quality control programs, it is
the shared responsibility of all employees to produce
the highest quality service. This includes maintaining
high standards for: planting quality, stock handling,
stock tracking and health and safety. Accountability
for quality resides at all levels of the organization.
Brinkman does not impose quality fines, but we do
require that you rework any areas that do not meet
our clearly stated quality standards. You are paid for
trees planted that meet the quality requirements so it
is important to plant the trees correctly the first time
– and that you understand you are accountable for
your quality.
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Expectations
Although you will be performing your work at a piece rate (as opposed to an hourly or daily
rate), Brinkman has production and quality expectations of each planter. These
expectations will be different for each contract and in each region, because of the
differences in plantability. Your Project Manager will make you aware of these specific
expectations – and will speak with you to ensure these goals are reached. We will provide
you with extra training and ample opportunity (within reason!) to reach this goal.
However, if by the end of the probationary period [normally the end of the 3rd shift], you
are for unable to plant at the level of the crew average, we may terminate your
employment. Your Project Manager will make you aware of what the benchmarks are for
each specific project.
Please remember, our benchmarks are minimums. We encourage people to surpass these
minimums, as many first year planters are able to do. You may have a very short window
in which to make your money during the tree planting season (as few as 35 days in Ontario
and upwards of 80 in BC for a spring/summer season). It’s in your best interest to make
the most of each day.
We expect experienced planters to achieve an established daily production goal, as well as
the established quality standard, within the first 2 shifts of planting.
We further expect experienced planters to remain above this number thereafter depending,
of course, on the ground and other circumstances.
Planters are expected to perform to the high quality standards that Brinkman & Associates
Reforestation Ltd. is known for. Our clients (who grant us the contract to plant the trees,
and oversee our work) expect that a Brinkman-run project will achieve planting quality that
exceeds~94%. This is a high standard – but Brinkman is known for good quality work, and
this is part of the metric that awards us contracts.
Our training program is extensive, and planters work their way to this high standard in a
short period of time. If you are unable to reach this standard, we will provide you with extra
training. If it continues to be a problem you will receive verbal warnings; without
improvement within an established time frame, you will be let go. We cannot have our
quality fall below the standards set by our clients. In our experience, everyone is capable of
achieving our high standards, but it is up to each individual planter to do the work – and
have the attitude – necessary to reach this target.
Tree planting is a very hard job. This is not summer camp. You have been chosen from
hundreds of applicants because we feel you are able to perform at our high standard and
realize solid earnings for your efforts.
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We are expecting a lot from you – including arriving in excellent physical and mental shape
– and we expect that you will be prepared to work hard, learn lots and have fun. We know
you can do it if you show up ready to work.
Keep in mind that while you are working for us – on any of our worksites, in any one of our
vehicles on a day off, or any time you are at our camps– we
are responsible for your wellbeing. As such, there might
be times when you don’t like our policies or think we are
being overly controlling. For example, you are not
permitted to take off whenever you like from the worksite
or camp, or invite whomever you want to come and stay
with you. And, no, you can’t necessarily set up your tent
wherever you please, or park in the middle of our camp, or
start a huge bonfire beside your car. We have rules and
policies – mostly to help keep you safe in the bush – and
we are asking that you please respect them. If you are
unsure, please ask – your foreperson, your Project
Manager, the Ombudsperson.
Lastly, a word about job security. As stated, we have high expectations of your quality, your
productivity, and your cooperation. If you meet these expectations, you can count on us to
provide you with a good season, and more work again in future years. Planters are the
engine of this machine, and good planters can and will work with us for decades.
Gearing up for Planting
Getting Prepared
There are many things you can do to get
prepared for planting – most of which are
far more complex than throwing a few
pairs of socks in your bag and booking a
bus ticket.
Updated March 2015
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Mental Preparation
If you have any doubts about being able to stick it out once you
begin planting, rethink your acceptance now. Planting is not
camping. This is a job to which you should commit for a minimum
of two full seasons. You will make substantially more money in
subsequent years – so please don’t do it for only one! The learning
curve is too steep.
This hiring package is part of your mental preparation for the
reality of planting trees. By committing to plant with Brinkman you
are committing not only to staying until the end of the project, but to planting hard every
day you are with us, and living cooperatively with everyone in your camp.
Planting is seasonal work. This means that you have only a few short months to make
money. You cannot afford to take a day off for any reason and we cannot afford to hire a
planter that does not work every day. The best planters don’t take unscheduled days off.
Good planters are motivated to make money, arrive in excellent physical shape, and are
ready to listen and learn what it takes. Make the most of every moment out there.
Physical Preparation
We expect you to arrive in excellent shape for planting. There are specific exercises that
should be done in combination with a regular exercise program, starting at least 6 weeks
prior to your arrival at camp. Dr. Delia Roberts, a professor at Selkirk College in BC who
specializes in sports physiology and nutrition, has studied the specific rigours of tree
planting. She has put together an excellent training program called “Fit to Plant” that you
can find at:
http://www.selkirk.ca/tree-planting/
If you are just looking for the physical training program, follow this link to get a pdf which
will print in booklet form:
http://selkirk.ca/sites/default/files/Faculty%20Research/fit_to_plant.pdf
We request you follow this program to minimize injury, and to reduce the time it takes for
your body to get used to days of planting. This will maximize your earnings!
Updated March 2015
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Please spend some time on Dr. Roberts’ Selkirk site, and follow this exercise program
before you arrive in camp (particularly if you have had tendonitis or wrist/knee/back
injuries). Although this requires a commitment of your time for preseason conditioning
(around 6 weeks prior to arrival at camp), it will be of
significant benefit to you once you start planting.
Why should you follow the Fit to Plant Program?
•
Planters who followed it displayed an increase in
production of more than 15% (results have shown
$50/day higher earnings)
• Planters who followed it had a decrease in injuries of
42%. Injuries cost you $$.
• Because if you’re reading this, you are eligible for a
pre-season bonus: download the Training booklet from the link above, show up in
camp with the journal completed, bring your receipt for the Theraband or other
workout materials, and you will be reimbursed for these pre- season expenses. For
more information, please contact the OH+S Coordinator, Robin C. McCullough, at
[email protected].
Dr. Roberts’ research is not limited to the pre-season conditioning Fit to Plant Program.
She also did a great deal of work on proper nutrition while planting, as well as a hydration
study. All of her results are published on line through the first link above, but here are
some of the major highlights:
1. Complete the 6 week Fit to Plant Program to increase earnings and decrease injuries.
Note: There is now also a 2 week “Desperate Planter’s Last Chance” program!
2. Follow the Power Eating for Power Planting Program. Two important things
to remember:
a. Eat throughout the day – not a big lunch meal. Eat at every bag-up.
b. Be sure to eat 500 calories within 1 hour of finishing your planting day. This
will ensure your energy for the next day – you’ve got to start rebuilding your
muscles immediately.
3. Keep well hydrated.
a. Drink at least 4 litres of water every day.
b. Take a small water bottle in your back bag (or a camel back water system).
The best way to stay hydrated is to drink regularly – and not just when you go
back to the cache (drinking a lot when you go back to the cache fools your
body into thinking you have “too much water in your system” and it often
starts to eliminate water)
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c. A Gatorade-type mixture provides even more benefits than straight water;
you can make your own rehydration fluid using salt + sugar. It’s a lot cheaper
than Gatorade.
These are just the highlights. To maximize your potential, make the most money, and stay
injury free – read + follow Dr. Roberts’ program.
Think About It
This job is definitely not for everyone. With everyone’s best interest in mind, we ask you
to take few minutes and truthfully think about the following. You are also welcome to
contact us if you have any concerns or questions. In addition to major illnesses and
diseases which would obviously interfere with your ability to perform this job, we do not
recommend this job for people with the following conditions:
• Heart disease
• Epilepsy
• Hard to control asthma (to the degree that might require hospitalization), or other
chronic lung conditions. We often work in extremely dry, dusty and occasionally
smoky conditions.
• Allergies that might result in anaphylaxis. Bees and wasps are very common on the
block, and it is difficult to accommodate extreme peanut or shellfish allergies.
• Any condition that requires precise medication. Your dosages will have been
calibrated for your non-planting levels of exertion + hydration; tree-planting
will push your body to its limit, and your medication is likely not able to keep
pace. Please discuss this issue with your physician if you are determined to
plant, and share all pertinent information on your confidential Medical Information
form.
Such conditions may not preclude you from being able to work
for us, but we do insist that you notify us immediately and discuss
the potential for problems. Our concern is not that you can’t do
the job, but that the remote nature of our work makes response
times slower, and medical facilities unavailable. We must work
together to ensure that you are put on the crew that best fits your
needs and that the situation is safe for you.
We ask you to consider that you will be working very closely with a
group of people, often sharing confined, dirty spaces. Despite
providing excellent facilities and trying to keep everything clean,
dirt is a reality of working in the elements and living in a bush camp. Our workers’
health and welfare is very important; it is critical that everyone be respectful of one
another, and understand the effects that his or her personal hygiene will have on others.
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If you have had tendonitis or other Muscular/Skeletal Injuries in the past (from planting
or otherwise), please tell us, so that we can proactively prevent further injury. Many
items – braces, supports, proper footwear – can help. There are many physical
requirements in this job (weight bearing, bending, climbing) that you should be
prepared for and able to handle.
Maintaining a healthy body is crucial in making tree planting a financially and emotionally
rewarding experience. Most injuries can be avoided by strengthening your body before
you arrive. Get Fit to Plant!
Other ways to avoid Injury or Illness
Once You Have Begun Tree Planting:
 Get proper rest: arrive at the worksite alert.
 Start out slowly. Allow your body time to be accustomed to unfamiliar movements.
Make your first bag-up of the day lighter (this is great for experienced planters too!)
 Ensure sufficient hydration (drink lots of liquids, in both hot and cold weather). Drink
at least 4 litres of water per day; up to twice that on hot days. Bring a small water
bottle for your back bag, or use a Camelbak or similar backpack unit.
 Eat a well-balanced diet: a proper mix of protein, carbohydrate and fats, including
lots of fruits and vegetables. Time your food intake properly – bring a sandwich to
eat on the way home.
 Multi-vitamin supplements may be helpful. Ensure adequate intake of vitamin B
complex (particularly B6), essential fatty acids (fish/flax/hemp/evening primrose oil),
glucosamine sulphate, and greens.
 A broad-spectrum greens supplement – one which includes dried cereal grasses +
spirulina or other blue-green algae – will cover a lot of your nutritional bases. You
are tearing yourself down every day, and you need to be built back up to be able to
keep going for the season. Please take care of yourself nutritionally.
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 Reduce coffee and alcohol intake. This will help you avoid dehydration, and will
speed muscle + wound healing.
 Take regular breaks, which will enable you to plant harder when you’re not at rest.
 Warm-up before you start planting; we have some great Dynamic Warmup material!
 Stretch periodically throughout the day, and spend at least 10 minutes doing Cooldown Stretches at the end of the day.
 Do not carry more trees than you can plant in 1 hour, or 1.5 hours at a maximum.
 Always keep your knees bent and your back straight when lifting objects like tree
boxes or logs to keep your cache tarp weighed down.
How to avoid injury from improper shovel use:
 Strengthen your wrists and forearms before the season begins.
 Avoid gripping the handle of your shovel tightly. Keep your grip loose enough that
your hand can slide around the handle.
 Shorten your shovel if necessary. Less weight/height = less fatigue.
 Avoid excess movements with your shovel. Do not lift your shovel above shoulder
height, and do not ram it into the ground. Our forepersons and trainers will help
you develop proper techniques.
 Change hands regularly to avoid overusing them. PLANT WITH BOTH HANDS. Yes
it’s awkward – but if you’re a new planter, you are awkward no matter which way
you slice it. Learn to be ambidextrous now and make more $$$ forever.
 Use your foot and leg muscles – not just your arm + back – to drive the shovel into
the ground and open your hole.
 Be cautious in rocky or hard ground.
 Keep your wrists straight as much as is possible.
 Check your technique routinely, to ensure you are using proper posture. Ask your
foreperson to watch your technique and provide feedback.
 Monitor your wrists and shoulders for redness, soreness and swelling. If these
symptoms arise, report them to your first aid attendant and foreperson, and follow
their recommendations.
The Support Staff
Each Brinkman camp includes a Project Manager (often called the
Supervisor), and various staff members. All of these people will aid
you in safely achieving a high standard of quality and production.
A typical tree-planting project staff will include:
The Project Manager (or Supervisor) is ultimately responsible for
the management and safety of all the workers in camp. The Project
Manager is also responsible for coordinating the efficient
completion of all aspects of the contract.
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It’s a big job and these are busy people – but not too busy for a chat now and then. Our
Project Managers began as planters, and therefore understand how difficult it is and
appreciate interacting with the crew.
The Logistics Manager (or Treerunner or Tree Deliverer) works with the Project Manager
and Forepersons/Crewbosses, and is responsible for transporting trees from the main tree
cache to smaller caches within the work area. These people often manage the field
operations and monitor crew safety in the absence of the Project Manager.
Crewbosses or Forepersons assist the
supervisor, and are responsible for
crews of 5 to 14 planters. We have
both “Full Crewbosses,” who do not
plant and are responsible for 10-14
planters, and “Planting Crewbosses,”
who do plant and are responsible for
5 or fewer planters.
These people safely drive you to the
planting site, train you on technique
and specs, do quality checks on your work and help you correct mistakes, keep track of
your daily tree tallies, and ensure you have enough trees and planting ground for the day.
These people have been trained to be your team leaders, and are responsible for ensuring
your safety and productivity at all times during the day. They are also major channels of
communication between workers and management; you will likely get to know your
Crewboss or Foreperson well, and letting her or him know what you’re thinking about our
operations can be of great assistance to us as a company.
The Quality Assessor is responsible for assessing and documenting the quality of all the
trees planted on the project. She or he will be in contact with the Forepersons and the
Project Manager about your quality, through both verbal discussions and through the Daily
Quality sheet that every Foreperson completes and files. Generally, these results are
submitted to our clients to determine our payment percentage.
The Cook and Assistant Cook provide you with excellent and nutritious meals every day.
They are required to be trained in Food Safety, and they are in charge of the kitchen. The
kitchen is their worksite, so you must have explicit permission from them in order to enter.
The First Aid Attendant (usually a crew boss or a planter) is responsible for tending to the
health of all the planters and staff. You must report any injuries to this person. She or he is
usually available both in the field and in camp; the location of all First Aiders is one of the
items discussed during your Daily Crew Safety Briefing.
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The Planter Representative is an experienced co-worker (a planter whom the crew has
elected), who fields enquiries from other planters and represents you to the staff
management group. If you have any questions or concerns about how the project is being
managed, this is the person or people to speak with.
The OH+S Representative is responsible for the day to day administration of the
Occupational Health and Safety Program in each field camp. She or he has received training
from Robin C. McCullough, the OH+S Coordinator, and is a communication link between
your camp and the Head Office.
The size and structure of your project’s support team depends on the size and complexity
of the project and will vary. Make an effort at the beginning of your season to get to know
who the staff are, and what each of them is responsible for. The first crew meeting is a good
place to find out where to direct requests and questions. Good communication between
staff and employees is essential to successful communal living – we would rather hear
about something than not hear about it. For reals.
A Typical Day in the Life of a Tree Planter
“6:00 am. You fumble for the snooze button but by the
time you find it you can smell the coffee. You start the
routine: polypro, hoodie, slide on a pair of runners and
head for the coffee urn. The lunch table rush won’t
happen for another fifteen minutes.The mess tent is
quiet. You could use another two hours of sleep, but
today you’re going to highball the crew. Fair enough.”
Or…
“Something’s wrong: your alarm’s going off but there’s
no way it’s six o’clock yet, you’re too tired and it can’t
be this cold at six! There’s been a terrible mistake.
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But the generator is running. You can hear other alarms in other tents, people whispering,
rain on your tent fly. Your polypro is damp and smells really bad; your soon-to-bedisowned sister has your hoodie. As you stare at the two solid blocks of ice that used to be
your boots, you realize you would pay three hundred bucks not to go to work today. But
you must, and you will tomorrow and the day after…”
Your average morning is somewhere in between the two above scenarios, culminating in a
love-hate relationship that – for most – ends up being just a bit more love than hate.
Whatever the case may be, if you are new to planting you’ve got to prepare for. There’s a
lot to love: big money, great people, exhilarating atmosphere, heaps of food, fun parties,
and a very real experience of piece rate labour.
To be sure, hard physical work, bad weather, bugs, wet clothes, and physical ailments can
push you to the edge. Very little in life will prepare you for the highs and lows that is tree
planting, and we can pretty much promise that it will be the standard against which all your
other “tough” jobs in life will be judged.
This manual is intended to give you an idea of what to expect this season. Coming in with
no idea of what to expect is not recommended.
Go to www.youtube.com to see some excellent footage of planting, some funny warnings,
some amazing documentaries, and more. Read this guide, talk to friends who’ve done it –
especially those who have worked with Brinkman. Hope for the best, and prepare for the
worst.
Camp Life
Brinkman provides some of the best
bush camps in Canada. We supply
dining facilities (with a Cook!), all the
dishes and cutlery, clean and welcoming
kitchens, stereos, clean and dry
outhouses (politely referred to as
shitters), hot showers, and heated dry
tents or trailers for equipment storage
and drying your clothes.
Each bush camp is portable so that we can pack
up and move during the contract. We do this
to be closer to our blocks, and to shorten travel
time on a daily basis.
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Our camps are powered by generators, which provide electricity for the kitchen, mess tent,
showers and camp office. We are usually situated in beautiful locations, despite the bugs.
Most importantly, our camps comply with all Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour
Standards, as well as provincial Silviculture Camp Standards.
What you provide is your own tent to live in.
You must also provide a positive and
responsible attitude towards communal
living. A bush camp of 30 - 60 people
requires that all planters contribute towards
basic cleanliness, and the health and safety
of everyone on the project.
Occasionally Brinkman contracts use motels,
lodges, logging camps, boats or barges as
their home base, rather than bush camps. In
these instances, planters sleep in a cabin or
motel and often cook their own food
(logging camps and barges usually provide
Cooks). Sometimes planters will sleep in a
tent but eat their meals inside, and use
indoor toilets and showers. In the case that
you are required to provide your own food
and cooking, we adjust your DPA (daily
planting adjustment) accordingly
Unless you have been informed otherwise,
assume your contract is a bush camp.
Food and Nutrition
Brinkman cooks provide three nutritious meals a day: a hot breakfast, a hot dinner, and a
field lunch that you pack every morning from a camp lunch table. While we provide utensils
or dishes for breakfast and dinner, you do need to bring storage containers for your lunch.
All our Cooks and Cook’s Assistants have their Food Safe certificate, and will provide both
vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals every day. Allergies and special diets are also
accommodated whenever possible; please let your project staff know as early as possible
(like right now) of any special dietary needs or concerns.
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Please Note: It is not always possible to
purchase a wide range of vegan food in remote
locations; many foods are unavailable or are
prohibitively expensive. If you eat a vegetarian
– or particularly a vegan – diet you may not get
the same range of options as you may be used
to in the city. Cooks will make every effort to
accommodate you, but it may be limited.
Because of this fact, it is not a good idea to “try out” being vegan at our camps. You would
be dramatically changing your activity level and your diet at the same time; your health and
your daily production could suffer. That said, if you are a true vegan, we will of course make
an effort to accommodate you. The same approach applies for gluten free, dairy free, and
allergy related diets (even the bacon-eating vegetarians). If this is critical to you, we will do
all we can to accommodate it – but please note that tree-planting camp should not be
considered a trial ground for new diets.
Please talk to your Hiring Manager or Regional Manager prior to starting work if you have
special dietary needs, to help us figure out the best fit for you.
Brinkman has found that a diet based on Delia Roberts’ proven recommendations is the
most nutritious and productive for our planters. Her guidelines are based on sound
principles of sports nutrition. As she states, “Eating right can help you plant hard all season.
Eating right can help you do more than survive the season. It can help you stay strong and
make money. That's what you want, right?”
Please also see Appendix One: “Effects of Physiological Status on Occupational Injury and
Planting Productivity and Quality” at the end of this manual, for more information on a
2002 study conducted by Dr. Delia Roberts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How will I get to the contract?
It is your responsibility to get to the mustering point, which is usually the town nearest your
contract. From this point, we will pick you up and drive you out to camp. All of our Alberta,
Manitoba and Ontario contracts, and most BC Interior contracts, are run out of bush camps.
When we send you your contract details (often in early April, for our big May startup), we
will let you know the best way to get to your contract. Depending on where you are
starting, you may need to take the bus, fly, or do a combination of the two.
Check into Greyhound (http://www.greyhound.ca), or check with your Project Manager or
Hiring Manager to see if there are planters driving to your mustering point. Sometimes we
can connect those who are offering or need rides. Need to fly? West Jet
http://www.westjet.com or Air Canada http://www.aircanada.ca )seem to be getting
cheaper and cheaper. You can also try http://www.flyporter.com if you are in Eastern
Canada.
Bear in mind that we won’t know the mustering date until 3-4 weeks prior to contract
startup, which is sometime in April for May projects. Your proposed startup date almost
always changes, due to unforeseen weather events like a Chinook or two feet of late spring
powder. If you book travel before formal confirmation of mustering dates, you may end up
waiting around a few days. We do realize it is cheaper the earlier you book – but the
weather doesn’t always cooperate!
Can I bring my car?
Yes, some planters bring their own vehicle. It provides a
warm, dry and bug-free (ish) haven, and your packing is
much less complicated. But (and this is a big but) most
camps are remotely situated on rough and active logging
roads that CAA won’t touch. If your car has low
suspension, suspect brakes, or worn tires – think about it.
Ask your Project Manager,
Hiring
Manager,
or
experienced
planters
who’ve worked in the
region.
There are a number of rules
that planters must follow if
they plan to bring a
personal vehicle to camp.
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Please note the following.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
You may only bring a vehicle in camp with the express
consent of your Project Manager. And each time you
drive in or out of camp you must inform a staff
member, as well as fill out the Personal Vehicle log.
This is a simple spreadsheet that tracks your vehicle,
your occupants, and your expected time of return. We
need to know where you are, and when to start
looking for you if you don’t return.
You must abide by our Personal Vehicle Policy while
you are working with Brinkman. Please request a copy
of our policy prior to the start of the season.
You may only use hands-free devices for your
cellphone/ipod/GPS unit. This is the law in some
provinces, and company policy in all provinces.
You will be required to convoy with camp vehicles into and out of camp. Even behind
very slow schoolbuses. Get used to it.
You may not pass or overtake a camp vehicle (or logging truck) on any road.
Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd. is not responsible for personal vehicle
damage or breakdown. You are taking your vehicle into our camps at your own risk.
If your vehicle breaks down, you are financially responsible for getting it to the
nearest garage. We cannot go back and get it for you.
When will the contract start and finish?
The BC Interior / Alberta / Ontario
start dates range from the 20th of
April to the 20th of May; these
contracts usually finish by the
beginning of July. New contracts
often emerge for July and/or
August; this work usually finishes
by Sept 1st. BC Coastal work can
take place at almost any time of
year. Work is often available
before and after these dates, so
please talk to us if you are
interested.
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If you are attending school and your exams continue into the beginning of May, we can
usually place you on a contract that starts in the second week in May. Likewise if you have
a job that starts on August 1st – we can usually place you on a contract that starts earlier,
and therefore finishes earlier in July. Just remember you will be making way more $$$ by
the end of the contract, and leaving early is very costly both for you and for us. While we
do not fine you for leaving the contract early, we discourage it; we invest a lot of time and
training wages into your, and we would like to see our return on this investment as much
as you would.
What if I have to leave the contract early?
If you are injured or sick or there is a family emergency, we will drive you to the nearest
bus or train station as soon as possible. If you are leaving for any other reason, we will drive
you in at a time that is convenient for us. Often we are many hours away from the nearest
town, and taking you there costs valuable time and money. As mentioned above, Project
Managers are very busy people, and driving you into town because you can’t hack it is a
drain on the resources that should be available for the camp as a whole.
You may not at any point leave camp or the work site of your own accord, regardless of
whether you have your own vehicle or where your camp is located. You must always clear
any departures with the supervisor. We are often situated in remote locations, and leaving
of your own accord either by foot or by car can be very dangerous.
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Even More Frequently Asked Questions…
What will my day look like?
Schedules can vary from contract to contract, but the
typical scenario is as follows:
Planters are up by 5:30 – 6:30 am to make their lunch,
have breakfast and get their gear together before leaving camp at 7 am. Your crew boss
will drive your crew to work in the vehicle most appropriate for your project. This is usually
a 4x4 truck in the BC interior, Alberta and Saskatchewan; a boat or barge for our coastal
BC work; a schoolbus in Manitoba and Ontario, and potentially some sort of swampnavigator (like a tracked vintage Bombardier tank, or less sensational Argo) in northern
areas with little bedrock to speak of. For difficult access across any of our provinces, we
will use helicopters. These commutes can be anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 ½ hours long.
If you are a nervous flier and would prefer to avoid helicopters, we will need to place you
on a non-flying contract; working around a non-flier on a flying contract is too much to
ask of our Logistics Managers.
Please note that daily travelling to and from the area we are planting is a
basic aspect of the job. While we endeavour to keep these commutes as
short as short as possible, poor weather and the variable state of bush roads
makes this hard to predict. Whenever possible, we will move to a campsite
closer to the areas we are planting, rather than spending more nonproductive time on the road.
On the drive to work, many planters sleep,
do wrist and arm stretches, or eat a slow,
tidy breakfast. Your day consists of
loading up trees at your cache (a roadside
tree deposit that is refilled all day long),
planting those trees, having your crew
boss check your trees for good quality,
and finishing your piece of land. Again
and again and again.
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You will be planting in pairs or, increasingly, in groups (crew planting) –whichever mode
gets the trees planted and the land finished most efficiently, as determined by your Project
Manager, Logistics Manager or other staff. We only allow planters to work on their own in
specific circumstances, and it is not common. This is for your own safety. Between 4:30 and
5:30 pm, your crew boss will pick you up and drive you back to camp. Dinner is usually
between 6 and 7, after which planters are free to relax, read, play guitar, talk and even to
complain bitterly about the day.
How do I keep track of how many trees I plant each day?
Trees are packaged in boxes or trays, containing a predetermined number of seedlings. At
the beginning of each contract, your Project Manager will let you know how she or he wants
you to keep track of your numbers, and how to report them to your crewboss. Each time
you load up with trees during the day, you will count the bundles/boxes/trays, and note
that number on an Individual Production Log. At the end of the day, you will sign and
submit your IPL to your Crewboss. You may be keeping track of several combinations of
trees, prices, and blocks in one day, so accurate record keeping is very important.
A waterproof note pad, pen, and calculator are the best tools for this, and should be part
of your daily gear.
What is the ratio of Experienced to Inexperienced Planters?
Brinkman has a high return rate among our planters – a fact that we are proud of and one
that we strive to maintain by treating our planters well and with respect. We have one of
the highest planter return rates in the industry. Most of our camps have an experienced
ratio of at least 30%, depending on the year and the camp. If our volume of total trees to
be planted goes up in a given year, our experience level will go down, as we need to hire
more planters. The opposite holds true for times when our overall volume of trees goes
down.
Will I get a day off?
The shift schedules of our contracts are flexible,
in order to accommodate project needs. Our aim
is to work either a 3 + 1 (3 days on and 1 day off)
or a 4 + 1 schedule. These are the work
schedules that we find to be the most efficient
for you and for us but in some cases we work
longer shifts.
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Please check with your Project Manager prior to start-up to find out the shift schedule that
is planned for your crew.
We often have to work a day more or less, to accommodate project logistics like camp
moves, distances from town, or our nursery stock schedule. Sometimes we also work extra
days – or longer hours – to finish an area of land or a particular contract.
On the night before the day off we usually kick back and relax, and have a night off with
people in camp. Bring fun clothes for our theme nights! It is extremely rejuvenating to
change out of your planting pants and work boots at the end of the shift.
Although we encourage planters to have a good time, we do have a Drug and Alcohol
Policy that we enforce. These rules are intended for your safety and will be posted at the
worksite.
Some key points of Our Drug and Alcohol Policy to keep in mind:
• You must be of legal drinking age to consume alcohol
• We reserve the right to refuse to allow you to drink alcohol on our worksites
• Consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in Brinkman vehicles – even if the vehicle
is parked and the keys are removed
• The taking of drugs is not permitted at any time
• Drinking of alcohol is not permitted on the block at any time
• Any worker who reports to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be
disciplined, according to our Progressive Discipline Policy
• Alcohol consumption before or on a day off should not result in missed work; this will
also result in the application of our Progressive Discipline Policy
• If alcohol consumption by a worker results in any unacceptable behavior (i.e.
endangerment of Workers including harassment, or damage to equipment)
termination will result
On your day off, we provide transport to the nearest town if possible. Please bear in mind
that occasionally our camps are too remote to make a town visit reasonable on every day
off, in which case we will stagger our visits. On your day off you can usually do your laundry,
get your fast-food fix, see a movie, and/or buy bug dope and supplies. You can also –
Project Manager permitting – stay in camp, which is the best way to properly recuperate
and prepare for the coming shift. Please remember that day off activities are privileges and
not rights, and you must abide by your Project Manager’s rules for both camp and town.
Often planters, staff, and Project Managers will get together to plan day off activities. In
the past, these have included rafting, sightseeing trips, horseback riding, and paint ball
activities. Whatever (legal) local flavors are out there, we want you to experience them.
However, dangerous activities that put you, other planters, or the company as a whole at
risk are strongly discouraged; engaging in them may result in disciplinary action.
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Please remember that as an employee of Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd., you
represent the company both on the block and in town. It is very important that we be
considerate of local residents and businesses; these are the same people that fix our
generators, find spare bus tires, serve us killer club sandwiches, hook us up with internet
service, and let us wash our filthy clothes at their laundromats. Many of our day off towns
have only one option for each of these critical services available – please do not jeopardize
these very important relationships. We are guests in their community – and it is our
company policy that planters act in a respectful manner.
If you do stay in town overnight during a camp move or on a day off, please treat your
motel room and the motel staff with respect. If you vomit, clean it up; if your dog chews
up a carpet/sofa, offer to reimburse the owner. Most importantly, do not have a raging
party at 2 in the morning in a motel. There is no quicker way to alienate a community than
by asking them to listen to your drunken ravings or to clean up after you.
What is the male to female ratio?
We strive for all our camps
have an equal number of
men and women. We also
try to promote as many
women as men, so it is just
as likely your Foreperson or
Project Manager will be a
woman as a man.
Can I receive mail?
Yes, you can send and receive mail while you are
planting – but you often won’t know the mailing
address until you arrive in camp. We often leave an
area where we are working within a few days, and if
your mail has not arrived by the time we leave, you
may not receive it.
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What if I get hurt or sick?
Every camp has at least
one trained First Aid
Attendant, and all of our
field staff have basic first
aid training. You are
required to report all
injuries or illnesses to the
First Aid Attendant. We
have radio phone or
satellite phone communications in the field and in camp, and often have cell service and
Spot trackers or similar devices as well. We also have extensive emergency response
procedures. If you need to go to a doctor or the hospital, we will transport you to town as
soon as possible.
We do acknowledge the need for days off, when absolutely necessary, and we charge a
$40 camp cost for each day you stay in camp without planting. In the event that you are
injured on the job, you will be formally offered Modified Work, and we will work with you
to get back to your regular job as quickly as possible.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, lots of planters bring their dogs with them. It must be
said that any environment with many large trucks is a
hazardous place for your dog. Quite a few dogs have been
seriously injured or killed through accidents involving
vehicles in camp, and we ask you to please consider this fact
before making your decision.
If your contract is a motel, boat or logging camp contract,
bringing your dog is probably not an option. You must
confirm with your Project Manager before bringing a dog
or other animal to the contract.
Please remember, you are responsible for your animal’s
welfare and for keeping the camp area FREE OF POOP.
Sociable, self-reliant and quiet dogs tend to work out best in camp; a dog that presents a
danger to others through aggressive or untrained behaviour will not be allowed to stay.
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If your dog does any damage to Brinkman equipment or vehicles, you will be required to
pay for the repairs. In our experience, many dogs are a direct earnings-decreaser, as well
as an occasional social hindrance to their owners in camp. Examples are time lost looking
for your dog while it’s chasing a rabbit; town trips and vet bills to remove porcupine quills;
and difficulty getting rides to and from town or the next contract. Yes, a few well behaved
dogs can be great in camp and (at times) a real asset in bear country, but please think
seriously about these issues before you bring your dog planting.
We strongly recommend that you do not bring a dog unless you have your own vehicle.
Please be aware that a planting camp is a work environment, and not a place to train a
puppy.
Can I bring my laptop / cell phone / iPod / tablet/ other electronics?
Yes, you may bring your electronics to the camp. Please be aware of the following:
• Although we do have wireless Internet in many of our camps, it is primarily for camp
operations and emergency contact purposes, and it may not provide a great signal
in all locations.
• While we do try to provide Internet access to workers, our primary objectives are to
run a great tree planting operation, and to ensure good communications with Head
Office, our various clients, and emergency personnel if necessary. Even without
camp access to Internet, our Project Managers will be able to transfer messages,
should your family or friends need to contact you.
• We cannot store or protect your electronics for you, and we are not responsible for
loss or damage to these items. Leaving your electronics in the mess tent is a bad
idea; do so at your own risk.
• Bring a waterproof container (like a Rubbermaid or Pelican case), in which to keep
your electronics, within the safety of your tent or trailer.
• You may not store or use your computer in our camp office.
• Camp computers (for the Project Manager or payroll clerk) are for staff use only. If
anything goes wrong with these machines, payroll may not happen, and nobody will
get paid. Your contract might very well be interrupted because of lost information
necessary to do our work. For these reasons, we must be firm on this rule.
• We cannot supply power to your personal tent.
• You can charge your electronics in the mess tent, but we are not responsible for their
wellbeing, and they must be removed immediately after charging.
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What about Bears?
Very often, tree planting is located in bear
country. Bears are dangerous wild animals. We
have dealt with this issue for many years, and we
take many safety precautions to protect our
employees.
We will go through our Bear Safety Manual with
all planters during the formal Project
Orientation, before you head out to the field.
We remove all garbage every night and close down the kitchen. We have bear spray and
bear bangers in every camp. All of our Project Managers are experienced in dealing with
bears in camp and in the field.
What you need to do is to make sure you do not leave anything that smells like anything in
your tent. We provide a dry tent and a shower trailer for all smelly items. Bears are attracted
to anything that smells –really. Toiletries, food, your day pack (which may smell like your
lunch), cigarettes, gum, empty beer bottles, bug spray, sunscreen, essential oils, vitamins
and other supplements – everything. Do not leave any of this in your tent.
More great information regarding bear safety is available through the following websites:
http://www.bearaware.bc.ca/
http://www.bearsmart.com/
How can I dispel my parent’s fears about tree planting?
Many parents are nervous about letting their children go tree
planting, and we encourage you to give them this hiring package,
so they will have something to read to calm their anxieties. We
have also written a letter which summarizes the important
information contained in this manual, and which will help alleviate
your parents’ or loved ones potential fears. Please see Appendix
Four at the end of this manual for a copy of this letter.
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How and when will I be paid – and how do I get an ROE?
Brinkman pays twice a month, calculated on earnings to the 15th and the last
day of each month. This is done through direct deposit to your bank account.
Calculation of pay periods and direct deposit dates differs by province. When
you move from one province to another, please note that you must complete
provincial tax forms for each province you are working in – as well as an
Employment Agreement for the new province (which will outline some of the provincial
employment standard differences for the new province – including pay dates). If your
Project Manager forgets to provide you with these new forms, please ask for them (please
remember that the Project Manager may not necessarily know that the contract you just
came from was in a different province – and you need to let them know you need the new
tax forms and Employment Agreement).
Direct deposit only works if you bring a voided, blank personal cheque, as well as your
Social Insurance Number. If you do not bring a voided cheque, your pay will be delayed
until we receive the voided cheque at our Head Office. We expect that you will use our
direct deposit system, as it is the quickest and most efficient way to be paid. This is
particularly true if you go on to another contract, or go traveling directly after the plant
and do not return to your permanent address.
There is a minimum two week turnaround period between the end of the pay period and
your first pay deposit; if you begin working on May 1st, your pay period will end May 15th.
The two-week turnaround for this first pay period means that our Head Office payroll
Managers will transmit the payroll data to your bank by May 30th. Paycheques are
transmitted to workers’ banks in accordance with provincial employment standards; if you
have questions about the schedule in your province, please ask your Project Manager for
clarification.
While our Head Office payroll Managers (as supported by field payroll clerks) work hard to
transmit your paycheque within the provincially mandated time frames, this does not
always mean that you will see the $$ in your account immediately. Head Office will transmit
the payroll data to your bank, and this transmission will be accompanied by an email of
your paystub.
If this data transmission occurs before a weekend or a statutory holiday, we cannot
guarantee that the $$ will be deposited into your account immediately. It is up to your
particular bank to determine their policies regarding depositing our payroll transmissions,
and they are under no obligation to standardize across their industry. Because our Head
Office will have sent your emailed paystub, this can be confusing, as it is possible you will
see an email indicating you have been paid, but not the $$.
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It is important to bring some spending money for your days off before you get paid for
your tree-planting work, and to accommodate the delays that accompany remote work.
While we can give you a cheque advance to tide you over at the beginning, it will be
restricted to $100, and we will only be able to provide one advance per pay period.
It is also important to check your personal record of planting numbers against your pay
stubs. As noted above, pay stubs are emailed to employees by Head Office, at the end of
each pay period. Please note that we do not send you a paper version of your pay stub
while you are in camp; paper pay stubs will be mailed to your home address (the permanent
address you indicate on your tax form).
The only mail you might get from Head Office while you are in camp is a paycheque – and
this is only for those who do not have direct deposit capacity. Camp locations change so
frequently that it is not realistic to expect mail to catch up with you – so if your parents or
loved ones would like to send you a care package, please ask them to send it to your camp
address as soon as you know it – and only if your Project Manager has indicated there is a
reasonable window in which the mail might safely arrive.
Your ROE (Record of Employment) is a required document if you are applying for
Employment Insurance. ROEs are now uploaded directly to HRSDC electronically; you do
not need to request one, and they are no longer mailed out. This is a federally mandated
change, rather than a Brinkman initiative.
What is Brinkman’s camp cost?
Brinkman does not impose a daily camp cost to cover infrastructure costs like other
companies. Instead we have a Daily Production Adjustment (DPA) of $25 per work day. This
is a tax free daily adjustment to your wages. The significant advantage to you is that while
a camp cost is taxable, a DPA is not.
Can I deduct my equipment purchases
from my taxes?
There are two ways to receive tax breaks if
you plant trees in remote locations.
Legally, you can only choose to employ one
of the two methods:
1 . You can request a T2200 form from
Brinkman to claim employment
expenses, which you then submit
with your taxes in the spring.
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However, you must request this directly from the head office – we do not give one
to each planter. Often people who are claiming EI in the off-season choose this
method.
2. The other method is by claiming Remote Work Allowance (RWA). You are eligible for
an RWA for every day you earn money on the contract. RWA is a non-taxable
allowance that recognizes that an employee incurs particular expenses when she or
he is working at a special site away from home, for longer than 36 hours and greater
than 200km from their home base. This can be a huge tax savings, and is available
to most Brinkman planters. This is one of the many advantages of working with
Brinkman, as most companies do not provide for RWA. (Note: planters who plan to
apply for EI do not take RWA, because it decreases their insurable earnings and
therefore the amount of their claim).
A few other notes about RWA:
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•
•
•
RWA is paid on each paycheque, and is added on after CPP, EI and income tax are
calculated and deducted.
RWA is not insurable, as the employee does not pay EI premiums on these earnings.
These earnings are therefore not included in your taxable income.
Your earnings minus RWA is the amount that will show up on your Record of
Employment (ROE).
Your earnings minus RWA is the amount that will show up on your T4 at the end of
the year.
Please note: if you opt for RWA, we cannot provide you with a T2200.
What about Vacation Pay?
You will be quoted an “all-in” tree price, as well as a net price per tree. For example, if 11
cents per tree is the quoted “all-in” rate, the net price per tree is 10.577 cents plus .423
cents in vacation pay. This means that you are paid vacation pay each pay period. Both
the “all-in” tree price and the net price per tree will show up on your paysheet.
What do I have to sign before I start planting?
Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd. requires that all planters sign a Planter’s
Agreement before they start working for us. This document outlines our administration
practices and employment conditions, and we ask that you sign it to acknowledge that you
have read it and understood it. It is not an employment contract and does not change your
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rights as an employee or commit you to pay any fines – whether for quality, leaving early,
or arriving late.
We will also ask you to fill out an Employee Information form, a Medical Information form,
a Provincial Tax form, a Federal Tax form, and you may fill out an RWA form if you choose
to take RWA.
What if I find mistakes on my paystubs?
Although we endeavour to correctly input and process your payroll, we do make mistakes
on occasion. Please keep track of the number of trees you plant for your own records. When
you receive your pay stubs during and after the contract, you will be able to double check
these numbers. Do not rely on your memory – you will forget. If there is a discrepancy we
can correct it. Please contact your Project Manager about any payroll discrepancies you
may have; if you are unable to get in touch with your Project Manager, please contact your
Regional Manager about these corrections. All spring plant corrections must be made by
August 15th.
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Equipment List for Brinkman Tree Planters
For first year planters, there is a serious investment involved in gathering
together everything you will need for the bush, and in making your way up to
your first contract. It is not unusual for an inexperienced planter to spend
$500-$1000 buying all the necessary equipment. Your best bet is to check out
second hand stores and army surplus stores. But don’t be too cheap – you do
want the big-ticket items (your tent, sleeping bag, boots, shovel and planting
bags) to last more than one season. These purchases are investments that should last
several planting seasons.
We reserve the right to stop you from working if any of your equipment is inadequate for
the conditions. This is one of our responsibilities as Managers.
On certain projects we will sell tree planting bags and shovels. Please check with your
Project Manager to find out if we will have gear available to sell on the project you are
going to. We do not sell or provide personal PPE and you will not be able to plant without
it. Please make sure you bring all the required PPE with you. If you are unsure of what
equipment you need to bring, please ask for clarification before arriving at the mustering
location.
Please also remember to bring your ID. You will need your SIN, a voided personal cheque,
and your health card. YOU MUST BRING A VOIDED CHEQUE TO ENABLE DIRECT DEPOSIT
OF YOUR EARNINGS.
Personal Camping Equipment
You will be living in your tent for at least two months. Please make sure your setup is
comfortable and dry! You will require the following:
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Personal tent with rain fly and ground sheet. Ensure it has bug-proof netting on the
windows, and that the zippers are in good working order. The
bugs want to eat you alive at night, but you don’t want to give
them the opportunity, right? Any sized tent is fine, but you will
need to fit yourself and all your gear in it. Please ensure that the
netting is no- see-um proof – this means the mesh is really fine.
Large tarp, to protect your tent from the elements. This should be at least 1.5 times
bigger than your tent.
Rope, to keep the tarp from flapping in the wind, and to keep it up so it doesn’t touch
your fly walls and inhibit their rain proofness.
Warm sleeping bag. It should be rated –15o C. Being cold can keep you up all night
long.
Extra blankets + a pillow, to add to the warmth and comfort of your sleeping bag.
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•
Foamie, Thermarest, or air mattress, as well as a pump to blow up the mattress.
Field and Safety Equipment
•
All of these items are required, unless otherwise stated by your Hiring Manager or
Project Manager. They must also fit inside your daypack, as you will be bring them to
the block with you every day. Waterproof daypacks are recommended.
•
Hard hat. Some – but not all – of our contracts require planters to wear
a hard hat. All Ontario contracts require a hard hat, but most other
provinces don’t require them to be worn every day –as long as they
available in case of overhead hazards. Please bring a hard hat no matter
where you work.
Climbing helmet. In BC only, the provincial regulations allow for treeplanters to use a
“Rock Climbers Helmet,” which must be formally approved by the Union of
International Alpine Association Standard (UIAA)’s Standard 106 Mountaineering and
Climbing Equipment Helmets. Headgear meeting this standard protects against blunt
impact hazards to the head, but cannot not be used in place of conventional safety
headgear in cases where the ventilation holes on the climbing helmet may expose the
worker to hazards from small rigid objects such as nails, or in cases where flame
resistance is required. This means that the client on your contract may disallow use of
climbing helmets, as it is at their discretion; please check with your Project Manager
or Hiring Manager regarding the acceptability of climbing helmets on your contract.
Climbing helmets are not approved for use outside of BC.
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Hi-viz vests are required on all projects. Your local
work wear store will have several options, such as
breathable mesh hi-viz tee shirts, or hi-viz straps.
MEC stocks hi-viz biking vests, which are very light
and breathable.
Neoprene style wrist braces. Most pharmacies (even
in small towns) have neoprene style wrist braces that make planting
more comfortable, and can help prevent injury. Cycling gloves can
also help; these are not mandatory, but are highly recommended.
Planting bags and shovel. More details on following pages.
Silvicool bags. Silver-lined inserts which slide into your in planting
bags and keep seedlings cool. These are must on all contracts in
Alberta and BC, but are not usually necessary for workers in Manitoba
or Ontario.
Plot cord. All planters, whether green or experienced, are required to
bring their own 3.99 metre plot cord to monitor quality and density.
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You may make your own out of a suitably tough rope or clothesline, but we
recommend bringing material to camp and asking your Foreperson to give you a hand
with this one.
Good rain gear. You will need both coats and pants. Don’t buy your gear too big or
too tight, because you will have to work in it. Don’t buy cheap materials – they can’t
stand up to the block. Go to an army surplus and buy used Wetskins, and you will be
happy you did! The flexible neoprene raingear is a good durable option; consider
layering with wool underneath.
Work Gloves. Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd. considers work gloves to be
part of your mandatory safety equipment. Duct tape does not provide proper
protection from the places you will be putting your hands, day after day. Dirt has
sticks and rocks in it, and gloves will extend the health and function of your hands.
Here are some examples of what you may need:
o Comfy gloves or mittens to keep your hands warm around camp,
before and after work. Bring a few pairs, to make up for ones
that get lost or wet.
o For your work gloves, we recommend half-coated nitrile gloves,
combined with a full (surgical style) disposable nitrile inner
liner. Many people like the Viking or Atlas half rubber and
half webbed ones from Marks Work Warehouse, or the
thinner grey ones also sold at Marks. All gloves should be
tight fitting. Buy extra pairs; having 6 on hand (see what we
did there?) is not unreasonable. Surgical style nitrile liners
can be found at Shopper Drug Mart, or any first aid supply store.
o If your contract involves handling fertilizer, proper gloves are mandatory. Dish
gloves do not provide adequate chemical protection. Ask your Project
Manager for fertilizer information sheets and glove requirements.
o Gloves with some aspect of impact mitigation are strongly recommended for
all workers. Every inexperienced planter should arrive with one pair. These can
range from cycling gloves (minimal protection) to more industrial styles.
Check out the Impacto Website at www.impacto.ca for some excellent
suggestions.
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Day pack. To carry your field gear (raingear, lunch, duct tape etc.). The dry bags from
MEC are good options, as they are bright coloured, waterproof, and durable. These
are a popular choice.
Water containers adding up to at least 4 litres, including a small water bottle or
Camelbak for use during your bag-ups. Some people prefer insulated containers, but
a juice jug or industrial size salsa bottle will work too.
Tupperware or less branded equivalent. To keep your lunch dry and un-squished.
Bring more than one, to separate the gorp from the hummus. You will eat a lot –
pack for large lunches!
Thermos. Optional, but essential for nice warm coffee, tea or hot chocolate on rainy
days.
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•
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Swiss army knife.
Sunglasses. Optional, but pretty awesome if you’re a squinter, and to protect your
eyes from sticks.
Notepad and pen. To write down your tree totals; waterproof notepads (brand name:
Rite in the Rain) are great for this.
Ziploc bags or mini dry bags. To carry tampons, toilet paper, and anything you don’t
want to get wet.
Bug dope. There are many name-brand versions that have DEET as the active
ingredient in differing concentrations. Generally, the higher the concentration (up
to 95%), the more effective the repellant is. However, some people have allergic
reactions to commercial bug dope, and it does tend to melt some plastics. Many
planters have opted for differing combinations of olive or vegetable oil, sometimes
mixed with citronella oil, lavender, tea tree oil or other bug-repellant essential oils.
Covering exposed skin in olive or vegetable oil will not repel black flies, but it will
stop them from biting. You can also check your local outdoors store for new DEETfree products, which you may have to reapply more often – but which have the
advantage of not melting your watch. Watson’s Cream bug dope is popular, but do
your research and find your preference.
Sun block. At least SPF 30, in a sweat proof and waterproof sport version. This is
particular important early on in the season, when you haven’t been outside much.
Make sure you wear a high SPF sunblock if you use olive or vegetable oil as your
method of insect repellent.
Duct tape. Buy at least one big roll of the good stuff. You will need it.
Whistle. A vital piece of safety equipment for every contract. Often these are built
into planting bags, but they tend to get gummed up and not work very well. Fox 40
whistles are always a good choice, as they are loud and relatively indestructible.
You must bring a watch and an alarm clock:
• An alarm clock is necessary to wake you up in the morning. If you have a tendency
to sleep through your alarm buy a very loud alarm – or two. It is your responsibility
to be on time, and your co-workers will not be happy if they have to wait for you in
the morning.
• A watch is necessary to time your bag outs, which is essential for setting and
achieving production bench marks. A watch also ensures that you are in the truck or
bus on time at the end of the day. Your co-workers will be bitter if you are still
planting (and making money) while they are waiting in the truck for you at the end
of the day. Do not arrive in camp without a watch and an alarm clock!
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A note on sunscreen: Heat and sun related injuries remain one of the leading causes of lost
production and wages. Wearing proper sun protection is not optional, and is part of your
mandatory PPE (personal protective equipment) – just like wearing your seatbelt when
you’re riding in a truck. Planters who do not protect themselves from the sun will be asked
to do so by their crewboss.
Bad sunburns have cost individual planters entire shifts of work. We spend months working
outside for 9 hours a day – the tan will come if you want it to. Just let it happen slowly.
Work Clothes
Buy old or second-hand clothes, since your work clothes will take a beating. Many planters
wear the same thing every day. White and light-coloured
clothing is recommended, as darker colours attract bugs. In
areas where ticks are problems, they are far easier to see
against light clothing. Above all, bring what you are most
comfortable in.
Don’t underestimate the value of great block style – being
beautiful and amazing on the block is inspiring for
everyone, and could lead to a Planter Academy Award.
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Work pants. Planters wear a wide variety of pants.
Tights (with or without courtesy shorts) are
streamlined and stylish, but mosquitoes can bite
through them unless they’re thick. Loose fitting pants
(such as quick dry “rad pants,” army pants, cheap used
cotton pants) are also popular, but they rip easily. Jeans are not permitted on the
planting site – they are not appropriate work gear for this job.
Work Shirts. T-shirts, undershirts and light cotton men’s dress shirts are good for hot
weather. For cold weather, it is good to have a number of layers (shirts and sweaters
and jackets) that can be adjusted as the weather changes. Cotton is good when it is
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•
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hot, but for cold days, wool (such as Stanfield woolies or Merino), polypro and fleece
are better. There are many hi-viz shirts out there, which are a really smart choice.
There are many benefits to being visible out there!
Socks. You can never have too many socks. Layering a thin polypro sock under a pair
of wool – or better yet SmartWool – socks will make your feet very happy, both in
terms of warmth and in reduction of friction. Gore-Tex socks work well and keep your
feet dry, but they are pricey.
Gloves or mitts for around camp. Leather work gloves are a great idea if you plan to
help out with or learn about equipment, as well as for camp moves. Cozy mitts are
one of those items that make a big difference on damp evenings in camp.
Wrist, knee, ankle or back braces. These are on an asneeded basis, for those who are prone to injuries in these
areas. Basic, inexpensive, neoprene supports are available
at most drug stores or supermarkets – even in the small
towns we work in – and are a good investment.
Bandana. Optional. To sop up the sweat under your hard
hat
Hats. Baseball/trucker caps and summer hats are obvious
for sun protection, but warm toques are critical for those days when the weather is
extreme in the other direction. Plan to be cozy.
Long underwear. Polypro, not cotton. To sleep in on cold nights or to wear under your
clothes on those cold mornings.
Shin pads. Many of planters (who plant lots of trees and move
aggressively through the land) wear shin pads, typically made for
soccer or for mountain biking. You can push your way through slash
more easily, which means fewer injuries. You will also have the ability
to move more quickly, because you will be less worried about lower
leg injuries.
Gaiters. Some planters use gaiters to protect their shins, and to keep dirt/twigs/water
from getting into their boots.
Boots
Your work boots are probably the most important purchase you will make. CSA approved
(green triangle) boots with ankle support are recommended. However, what constitutes
‘The right boot’ is quite regionally specific. We recommend talking to your Project Manager
or Regional Manager before purchasing boots for the season, particularly if this is your first
time planting. Some areas require specialized boots (CSA, steel toes,
Caulked), some areas are very wet, and some regions are steeper and have
more wood debris, so getting a recommendation from someone that
knows is imperative. General qualities to look for in a boot: Light weight,
yet tough and well stitched (less seams are better), a good tread, water
proof or water resistant, good ankle support, some breathability, and as comfortable as
possible.
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Take your time in the store, walk around, try them with a couple of pairs of socks, and buy
an extra pair of laces. Some boots, particularly rubber caulks, are designed to be worn with
‘Bama socks’ – see below – so need to be fitted with them on (if you’re buying Bamas, make
sure you pick up at least 2 pair).
Some planters bring both CSA-approved work boots for the block, and soft-toe rubber
boots for around camp. Please note that some contracts do not allow planters to use
Blundstones as their work boots.
The following are various types of boots:
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Hiking boots. You can get steel-toed hiking boots, but the cheap ones often fall apart
before the end of the season.
Leather or nylon work boots. If you get leather boots, make sure they
aren’t overly heavy or higher than mid-calf. Leather boots become very
heavy when they’re wet, and very stiff when they dry out. Bring boot
grease to maintain them.
Rubber boots (with insoles or a “Bama” type sockette). Optional, but
nice to wear in wet and muddy situations. These can also be a backup pair if your other boots wear out. Steel toed rubber boots are available.
Caulk boots (pronounced ‘cork’). These are only required in BC, but they are
mandatory for planting on many BC contracts. Caulk boots might be a good purchase
if part of your season is in BC. Some planters will choose to buy non-caulk boots, and
have caulks installed after market. Look into this option if you are
prone to blisters, as caulk boots are typically not as soft or
supportive as other high-quality work boots.
Suggested Extras
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Clothes for the days off. Bring warm and comfortable clothes, including a toque,
gloves and long johns, for the nights and days off. Bring costumes and fun clothes for
our theme parties, and a swimsuit.
Toiletries. The less scented the better, because they attract biting insects. As
biodegradable as possible, for our fragile ecosystem. Foot powder will come in handy,
as will a nail brush.
Sewing kit. To fix holes in tents, pants, planting bags etc.
First Aid kit. Bring remedies for bee stings, Polysporin or other topical antibiotic,
Moleskin for blisters, Band-aids, Tylenol/ibuprofen, cough medicine, and other items
as you deem necessary
If you are allergic to anything, please bring your own Epi-pen and/or anti-histamine
tablets, and please ensure you speak directly with the first aid attendant.
Ladies: bring tampons with applicators, baby wipes, and an over the counter yeast
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infection remedy. These are all vital resources in the dirty planting world.
Mosquito coils. To de-bug your tent or dinner table.
Towel. Big enough to cover you while you run back to your tent from the shower
tent/trailer.
Writing stuff, books, cards, calculator, to figure out how much $$ you made, and write
home about it.
MP3 player. Plus a waterproof bag to keep it dry on wet days. You must keep your
iPod or MP3 player at a volume level that allows you to hear foreman instructions,
outside warnings and hazards.
Flash light and /or headlamp. Very important to be able to safely get back and forth
to your tent in the dark.
Extra batteries.
Cell phone. Most camp sites don’t have cell coverage. As cell towers are built, town
coverage has increased, and it is safe to say that most towns in Alberta will have
service. Town coverage in BC, Manitoba and Ontario is still patchy, but it is increasing.
Cell phones could easily get wrecked over the course of the season, so please take
care of yours.
Bags and Shovels
You are required to provide your own tree planting
shovel and tree-planting bags. On certain projects we will
have them available for purchase. Please check with your
Project Manager to see if we will sell them on the project
you are going to. They will cost about $160 together. This
can be an expensive part of starting your tree-planting
career, but these items are investment purchases which
you will be using for many years.
Planting bags are fairly standard these days. They should
have a padded waist belt, padded shoulder straps and at
least three bags. Many planters use a flagging tape pouch as well.
One of the biggest debates among tree planters is whether to use a Dhandle or staff (long, straight-handled) shovel. Although the majority
of planters use D-handle shovels, Brinkman & Associates Reforestation
Ltd. does not recommend one over the other, as both shovels have
advantages and disadvantages. More importantly, you should buy a
shovel that fits your body.
In the past, planters have arrived in camp with a wide variety of shovels,
all of which needed modifications. Because you will be throwing this
shovel into the ground thousands of times a day, it needs to be light
Updated March 2015
48
and streamlined for optimal performance. With this in mind, you should look for a shovel
that has:
•
•
•
•
•
A short 22cm blade. This is the IDEAL length, and the minimum blade length is 20
cm.
The blade may have one “kicker” (side of the blade that you step on) removed. Do
not buy a shovel with both kickers removed.
In many of our camps, we will have a staff member assigned to use a power grinder
hand tool. Given the safety regulations with which we must comply, use of these tools
is highly controlled, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to modify your
shovel after you arrive in camp. If you are able to have your shovel blade modified
before you arrive, the photos below show some of your options.
The photos on the left show some guidelines for modification; the photos on the
right show 3 different shovels with varying modifications.
A shorter shaft than the “off the shelf” shovel is recommended for all but the tallest
of planters. Most of our best planters shorten the shaft enough that when holding
the shovel by the handle, the blade will just skim the ground when swung with an
extended arm. This may seem short – but it lightens the shovel, reduces injuries on
your shoulder (because you don’t have to lift it as high), and is more maneuverable
and enables you to plant a better tree. Being this short will make you bend down –
but you have to bend down to put the tree in anyway. It will mean more money in
your pocket!
Both Bushpro (look for the Highballer shovel) and Workwizer make a modified shovel. The
stainless steel blades are lighter, and therefore
recommended. http://www.workwizer.ca/
While you can buy a shovel anywhere tree
planting equipment is sold, it must be modified
to correctly fit your body. It’s best to do any
shovel modifications before you arrive on the
project, so that you are learning with the right
tool on day one. That said, if you are unsure
about how to modify your shovel, please wait
Updated March 2015
49
until you get to camp. We will be able to help you adjust it, though it might not be right
away.
You can also buy second-hand gear from ex-planters, but you should make sure it is in
good shape; check the stitching on the bags, and make sure the shovel isn’t too tall or too
heavy, and that the blade is at least 20 cm long. Again, you will need to make sure that
any used shovel you get has been modified to correctly fit your particular body.
Your shovel must be a proper, dedicated tree planting shovel. Gardening spades from
Canadian Tire or Lee Valley will not work. They will be funny for about
5 trees and then really not funny.
Spend some time on http://www.tree-planter.com for more
information the pros and cons of both shovel types, as well as more
general information on tree planting.
Please remember your Silvicool bags. You will need at least 2 for
Alberta and BC, but it’s best to ask your Project Manager about your
particular contract. Silvicool bags are not required for Ontario projects.
Where to buy planting equipment
Most planters these days buy their equipment online. There are a few places that sell
shovels and bags in store, but if you live outside a major city, online is the way to go.
Gear Up For Outdoors
Thunder Bay, Ontario
807-345-0001
toll free 1-800-304-4275
www.gear-up.com
Universal Field Supplies
Mississauga, Ontario
905-795-1610
1-800-387-4940
www.ufsupplies.ca
Updated March 2015
50
K.B.M. Forestry Consulting
Thunder Bay, Ontario
807-344-0811
1-800-465-3001
www.kbm.on.ca
Bushpro Supplies Inc.
Vernon, B.C. Canada
Phone: (250) 260-2808
Toll Free: 1-888-601-COOL
e-mail: [email protected]
Workwizer
CAWSTON, BC
1-866-SHOVEL9 (746-8359)
email. [email protected]
web. http://www.workwizer.ca/
Commercial Solutions / Raeside
Equipment
Vancouver, BC
Order Desk 1 604 717 4000
Commercial Solutions
http://www.csinet.ca/
Calgary AB (403) 279 7744
Edmonton, AB (780) 439-2026
Grand Prairie, AB (780) 439-2026
Coquitlam, BC (604) 927-5800
Prince George, BC (250) 564-2584
IRL (Industrial Reproductions Ltd)
Prince George BC
Order Desk 250-562-2185
1-800-663-6843
Deakin Equipment
www.deakin.com/
Vancouver, BC
(604) 253-2685
Ono’s Work & Safety
Nanaimo, BC
Phone : (250) 390-4556
Toll Free : (888) 390-6667
Also in Courteney & Surrey BC
A1 Safety
Duncan, B.C.Phone - (250)748-4232
After the Plant
Other Available Work
Brinkman works in many parts of Canada, with crews out in some place or other most
months of the year. This is a key benefit of
working with Brinkman, as we have the longest
seasons available with a single company.
BC: Coastal and Interior:
Work opportunities are limited during the
‘winter’ months of October, November,
Updated March 2015
51
December and January, but there are sometimes small contracts doing planting-related
work such as cone removal or brushing.
The spring coastal plants typically start up in late February, and provides a select group of
planters with steady work until the rest of the country starts planting in late April or early
May. The main spring/summer season (off the coast) usually lasts from late April through
to the start of August, and we typically have coastal fall plants starting in late August and
running until early October.
Coastal positions are typically reserved for planters who have worked with us before, and
who have demonstrated their ability to meet the particular challenges of this kind of work.
If you are interested in spring or fall coastal work, call or email John Beaton, at
[email protected] or 250. 400. 0987. Contact John early (in December or early
January), because space is limited and positions always fill quickly.
Alberta & Ontario:
If you are interested in more work after
the spring/summer contracts (from late
April until the end of July), Brinkman
has a variety of options. We typically
have August & September plants in
Ontario, as well as thinning and
surveying work in Ontario through
September and October. Later in the
Ontario fall, we also run slashpileburning contracts.
Updated March 2015
52
Urban Restoration:
We have urban restoration projects running year round in the Lower Mainland of BC, as
well as in Southern Ontario. Check out the
Brinkman
Restoration
website
brinkmanrestoration.ca for more information
and contacts. For Urban Restoration work,
contact
John
Grindon
at:
[email protected].
Positions for work after the main season are
limited, and are awarded by seniority, work
ethic, and availability. Some years we may
have work for most of our planters who
request it, and other years we can only accommodate our most experienced planters and
staff.
For an update on extra available work, please
check the job opportunities page on
brinkman.ca, or contact Timo, Matt or Judi
(contact info on page 3).
Updated March 2015
53
Christmas Party
Each year Brinkman puts on some Christmas Parties, typically in Toronto and Vancouver.
We are always open to hosting more, if people are interested in other regions. We try to
situate them in a central bar or pub, and encourage as many people as possible to come.
Planters are encouraged to bring season photos, as well as friends who may want to plant
with us next year. We will contact you in the fall with dates and locations. If you have any
ideas, please let us know. We do this to thank everyone who poured so much into the
season – and to allow people to get together with their planting friends with whom they
grew so close over a long season in the trenches!
Next Year
Apply on-line (www.plantingtheplanet.ca ) as a “returning planter.” We highly value our
planters, and like to provide work for them in the future when available positions permit.
We also often email returning planters in December and January, with information about
the coming spring. If you do not hear from us please reach out via email or through our
website with the returning planters form. We endeavour to accommodate requests and
return planters to their camp of choice, or move them to other camps in other locations
when possible.
Hiring
Our hiring season begins in early January. While
we primarily hire new recruits through our
website (www.plantingtheplanet.ca), the most
important hiring technique we have is word of
mouth. We encourage you to recommend
Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd. to your
friends, and to both experienced and
inexperienced planters. Your referrals often make
the best planters--as long as you know that these
people would make great planters, and are people
you would enjoy having in camp.
Updated March 2015
54
A Career with Brinkman
A career in planting?! It may sound strange for those who look at the business as a quick
way to pay for university or save for traveling, but for many (of us!) it has developed into a
more or less full time job. For a start, a full season of planting – coast spring, BC interior/
Alberta/ Ontario spring & summer, coast fall – is pretty much 7 or 8 months on the shovel,
and can be extremely lucrative. Viewing, bidding, and preparing for next seasons’ work
occupy our Project Managers and senior Forepersons for much of the fall and pre-season,
leaving precious little ‘down time.’
Brinkman provides training at all levels, and the
management experience gained by those hardy and
quick thinking souls who choose to take a leadership
role is invaluable. We provide a steady stream of on
the job training, as well as off-season courses and
upgrades to our Managers.
Every year there are a few openings for new
Forepersons, Logistics Managers, and Quality
Assessors on many of our crews. These entry level
management positions can often lead to Project
Management (Supervisor) opportunities for persons with the right attributes. It’s not for
everyone, but those that do always value the experience whether they continue in the
industry or utilize their skills elsewhere.
Updated March 2015
55
Appendix One: Safe Work Practice Tree Planting
SAFE WORK PRACTICE
TREE PLANTING
Hazard Rating: Moderate
Dangers:
•
Slips and falls – from height and from same level
•
Weather related illness – hypothermia and/or heat stroke
•
General illness
•
Wildlife encounter
•
Muscle strain (repetitive and general)
•
Becoming lost
•
Exposure to toxic substances (Sour gas, fertilizer, pesticides etc.)
Contributing Factors:
•
Failure to use PPE (including appropriate clothing)
•
Use of inappropriate tools, such as poor shovel length
•
Inadequately trained workers
•
Not knowing how to properly “walk” in uneven, steep, rocky or swampy terrain with
weighted bags
•
Fatigue
•
Dehydration
•
Working too fast for your skill level
•
Impaired hearing due to listening to music too loud
•
Inadequate intake of food
•
Failure to seek first aid/medical attention
•
Poor lifting techniques
•
Lack of supervision
•
Working alone
•
Poor personal hygiene
Updated March 2015
56
Safe Work Practices:
•
Attend each Project Orientation for information on hazards specific to that worksite.
•
Understand and know your safety responsibilities, relevant company policies, reporting
procedures and camp rules.
•
Review specific SWPs for various activities, as outlined in this manual.
•
Ensure you are properly trained for the job at hand.
•
Report to work with adequate food and water for the day.
•
Know what PPE you are required to wear, and do so.
•
Always wear proper footwear.
•
Always wear caulk boots when walking on logs, and keep your caulks sharp.
•
Arrive in as good as physical shape as possible.
•
Stretch often throughout the day.
•
Always carry dry clothes, raingear, and sunscreen to use as needed.
•
Dress appropriately for the weather. Keep clothing and hair contained so as to not get
caught or snagged on branches or equipment.
•
It is not recommended to wear jewelry at the worksite, as it may become caught on
branches, or cause irritation or blisters.
•
Only listen to music at a level whereby you can hear Emergency signals and/or people or
wildlife behind you. Be aware of your surroundings. It is recommended to wear only one
ear bud, so that one ear is able to hear.
•
Know your limits and report to your supervisor if you are feeling overly tired, ill, injured or
otherwise unqualified to perform your job safely.
•
Do not overload your bags or carry weight beyond your capability.
•
Do not twist your back when putting loaded tree bags on or moving tree boxes; bend
with your legs.
•
Do not jump off the back of a truck. Back down and maintain 3 points of contact.
•
Avoid jumping off logs.
•
Avoid walking on logs which appear to have been burnt, rotten loose bark, are suspended,
or are covered with snow, ice, or frost.
•
Use caution when moving across uneven, slashy or steep terrain. Do not assume the
ground is stable. Test hand and foot holds before putting your whole weight down.
•
Use caution when walking on rock surfaces with caulks; try to go around rocks if possible.
•
Do not carry your shovel over your shoulder. If you stumble you may clock yourself in the
head with the blade.
•
Keep the weight of your bags as balanced as possible.
•
Keep your whistle with you at all times. Make sure you are given a radio and/or clear
check-in procedures if working alone.
•
Wear hi-viz clothing while working, so that your foreman can more easily see you.
Updated March 2015
57
•
Know the emergency evacuation signals and plan for every block, as well as where to
find information you need, such as your physical location.
•
Keep your bags and shovel in good working order. Ensure your shovel is the proper
length for your height.
•
Work with gloves on; remove them when eating or smoking. Wash hands or use wet- nap
type wipes as often as possible when eating or going to the washroom.
•
Know what to do in the event of an encounter with wildlife.
Updated March 2015
58
Appendix Two: Tree Planter – Job Description
BRINKMAN & ASSOCIATES REFORESTATION LTD.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Tree Planter
Reporting To: Foreperson
Job Summary: Under the direction of the foreperson, ensures that trees are properly
planted according to contract specifications. Takes responsibility for proper coverage of
the assigned area, stock handling, and tracking of personal tree numbers planted.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Report for work ready and fit at the assigned times, or inform foreperson of inability
to do so.
2. Ensure that stock for planting is correctly cached, following loading of tree bags.
3. Inform foreperson of area coverage and requirements, as well as any anomalies
observed in the field related to planting or stock allocation.
4. Ensure that high quality standards are maintained.
5. Keep accurate records of trees planted.
6. Remain informed as to the standards of quality and performance which are expected
by the company and the client.
7. Inform the foreperson of any client concerns communicated to the planter, and to
assist the foreperson in effective client liaison.
8. Participate in camp set up, maintenance, and take down, in order to facilitate camp
moves.
9. Perform your job in a safe manner, and to inform others of unsafe situations.
Updated March 2015
59
Appendix Three: Sample Training Day Timeline
Time
8:00 –
8:30
8:30 –
9:00
9:00 –
10:30
Topic
Objectives
The crew will have gained an
understanding of the client, project
and time frame to planting
General
Introduction
Planters will have all paperwork filled
out prior to planting
Paperwork
The crew will understand the
Brinkman OH&S program, and the
client’s safety concerns
Safety
Detailed Topics
• Introduction of members of the client’s staff
• Introduction of Brinkman key field staff
• Review
project
specifications:
workdays,
schedules
• Background:
Brinkman
&
Associates
• Safety committee
• Safety forms (medical info, etc)
• Tax forms
•
•
•
•
•
•
Brinkman worker’s safety booklet
WHMIS
Driving rules and safety
Bear safety
Camp safety, camp tour, hygiene, cleanliness
Responsibilities and accountabilities
• Project specific safety hazards
• Emergency communication plan
30 min
Break
11:001:00
Safety
The crew will understand other safety
and environmental programs and
certification
1 hour
Lunch Break
Eat lunch, drive out to the block
2:00 –
2:30
Background info:
Seedling growing,
physiology,
limiting factors to
growth
Topic 1
Microsite
Selection
2:30 –
4:30
Planters will gain background
knowledge into seedling physiology,
and the practical applications to their
work, helping to answer “WHY” they
are asked to plant under particular
The crew will understand specific
microsite requirements of the client
and of the SFL. They will gain a higher
understanding of the impact of
microsite selection and planting
through visual evidence.
Topic 2
Stock
Handling
Specifications
The crew will have gained an
understanding of the specific stock
handling standards required on the
project
and
understand
the
relationship
between
seedling
physiology and the reasons for the
Topic 3
Planting
Perfect Tree
Planters will know the approved
planting technique for maximum
growth and survivability
the
Topic 4 Throwing
a Plot
Planters will understand how a plot is
thrown and the quality measurement
system. This will also result in the
planters
gaining
a
better
understanding
of
spatial
requirements when planting.
Updated March 2015
•
•
•
•
Our camp and work as it relates to ISO 14001
EMS
S-102 Fire Suppression
Operating Procedures – and everyone’s roles
• General seedling growth cycles – natural
• Seedling growth – nursery schedules
• Limiting
factors
to
seedling
growth
performance: light,
warmth, moisture,
competition
• Maximizing seedling survival and growth via
microsite selection
• Specific goals of the different scarification types
• Variances in raw plant and site prep. How to
maximize microsite selection
• Review of the stock handling standards for
project
• Demonstrations of bagging up without
damaging trees
• Unbundling limited numbers of trees
• Relate seedling physiology to stock handling
• Methods of ensuring no J-Roots
• Opening a sufficient hole for the stock we will be
planting
• Closing the hole tight without compacting the
roots in (and impeding growth)
• WHY and WHEN plots are thrown
• Explanation of plot methodology
• How to throw a plot, and specifics of what to
look for
• Practice throwing a plot
60
Appendix Four: Letter for Your Parents / Loved Ones
Hello,
We have hired your son/daughter/loved one to plant for Brinkman & Associates
Reforestation Ltd. this summer. We want to let you know a few things about Brinkman &
Associates Reforestation Ltd., planting, and getting in touch with the planter you know and
love.
Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd. is one of the oldest and most respected
silviculture companies in Canada. We have led Canada's silviculture industry and set
operational, innovation, safety, and employee earnings standards for the past 35 years. If
you would like more information about Brinkman - please go to our portal website at
brinkman.ca.
Traditionally, there are ~ 1,000 Brinkman employees in the summers, ranging across BC,
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. We have ~18 bush camps, and about the
same number of projects working out of motels, boats, lodges, or other accommodations.
We place planters in camps according to each contract’s particular needs and – whenever
possible – a planter’s request and geographic proximity.
The start dates for Alberta and BC are typically in late April, and tend to finish in the last
week of July. Generally we see about 60 work days for these contracts. Dates change quite
frequently, as our business is dependent on the snow melt, and finish dates are dependent
upon start dates as well as how quickly we plant the trees. Most planters will only work in
May, June, and July. For our best planters, there are also opportunities to plant in Ontario
in August, and your planter may get work on these contracts. Hopefully they will let you
know if they do! The extra work offers excellent earning potential.
If you need to get in touch with your planter during the season and cannot wait until the
day off, please email your planter’s Project Manager and copy it to her or his Regional
Manager. We have email access in most of our camps and our Project Managers are able to
check in regularly. If the camp does not have email access, the Regional Manager will
contact the Project Manager through one of their daily check-ins. If it is an emergency,
please call the appropriate Regional Manager. She or he will be able to get in touch with
Updated March 2015
61
your planter. There are radio or satellite phones in every camp, which we reserve for
emergency uses such as the above.
If your planter is working in:
Alberta or Saskatchewan: Contact Judi Tetro at 780-237-1301 (cell), or
[email protected].
Ontario or Manitoba: Contact Neil Whan at 807-632-2508 (cell), or
[email protected].
British Columbia Interior: Contact Matt Robertson at 250-709-7070 (cell) or
[email protected].
British Columbia Coast: Contact John Beaton at 250-400-0987 (cell) or
[email protected].
We will forward the Project Manager’s email addresses and cell phone numbers to your
planter in late April. If you can only call, please note that you will most likely only be able
to leave a message, as the camps are often outside of cell range.
Although we often work 3 or 4 days on and 1 day off, occasionally we have to vary this
schedule. If you expected to hear from your planter on a day off and did not: please do not
worry. The most likely reason is a variation in schedule – or that she or he forgot to call. We
do keep track of our planters and if anything did happen, we would let you know
immediately.
Mail is very important to your planter. Whenever possible, we send the camp address out
pre-season so that people like yourselves can send care packages and letters. Remember
however, if your mail does not get to the post office before the end of the season, you may
never see it again. We leave the area within a few days of project completion.
A few other notes:
Safety: We are very conscious of the fact that many of our planters are working away from
home for the first time. Many of us are also parents ourselves (and we often have our
toddlers in camp with us). We have an extensive Occupational Health and Safety Program,
as well as a thorough Training Program. Your planter will be made aware of our safety
precautions and any dangers they may face working in the bush. They will also be made
aware that they can refuse to do ANY work they feel unsafe doing.
Updated March 2015
62
We have various communications devices (radio phones, cell phones, satellite phones and
Spot Trackers or In Reach devices) in every camp. We also have an Emergency Response
Plan, as well as First Aid Attendants in all of our camps. We follow all applicable Ministry of
Labour and WSIB/WCB regulations, and make every effort to take good care of our planters.
Pay: We pay our planters using direct deposit twice a month, and pay is calculated on
earnings to the 15th and the last day of each month. Pay stubs are emailed to each planter
at the end of each pay period, and paper copies are mailed to our planters’ permanent
addresses. Pay periods are bimonthly in most provinces, and monthly in Ontario; if your
planter is working in Ontario, she or he will receive a mid-month advance via direct deposit.
It takes two weeks to process the payroll sent from the field to Head Office. The first
payment (usually for the pay period May 1st through 15th, presuming your planter began
work in early May) will be deposited in the first week of June. Planters will continue to
receive a bi-weekly pay deposit thereafter. Sometimes there are delays, as we are working
in remote situations and relying on computers and email to send in the payroll. We always
endeavour to pay your planter as soon as we can.
Please Note: If the planter does not bring a voided cheque to establish direct deposit into
her or his bank account, we cannot direct deposit his or her pay. If this is the case, we send
a cheque to the project location during the season, and to their home address after the
season. We are able to provide one cheque advance per pay period, which planters can
deposit into their accounts on their day off. These are advances for spending money only,
and we will not be able to cut large cheques for rent or similar expenses. Planters must
make their own arrangements to cover costs while they are working with us.
Leaving the Contract: If your planter is injured or you have a family emergency, we will
drive him or her to the nearest bus or train station as soon as we can. If a planter is
“quitting,” we will drive them to town at a time that is convenient for us. We will ask them
to contact people at home if this is the case, but we cannot guarantee this will happen.
Planting is not for everyone. Although we endeavour to hire the right people for the job,
planting is very difficult work, and sometimes people have to go home early. We strongly
recommend that your planter gets into great physical shape for the job – please refer to Dr.
Delia Roberts’ Fit to Plant program, as located here: http://selkirk.ca/tree-planting. We
expect our planters to go to work every day, and we expect them to work hard when they
are out there. We spend a lot of time training planters and giving them continuous
feedback – but the rest is up to them to make it work. It’s not easy! We have an
exceptionally high success rate with our planters – one of the highest in the industry – and
we try to create an atmosphere in our camps that is fun, safe, and profitable.
Updated March 2015
63
If you have any questions, please contact the Head Office at [email protected], or call
us at 604-521-7771. You can also access the information on our portal website
(www.brinkman.ca), and contact the specific Manager under whom your loved one is
working. Although we are busy at this time of year, it is important to us to take the time
to answer your questions.
Thanks,
Senior Managers of
Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd.
Updated March 2015
64

Tree Planting Resource Manual 2015

Transcription

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