Bear Safety Checklist for Outdoor Workers

At least 25 Canadians workers have lost their lives in bear attacks since 2000. Risk of attack is greatest in the Spring and Summer months after bears emerge from hibernation, especially for construction, forestry, mining, landscaping, oil and gas processing, farming and other workers who work outdoors. And it’s not just bears. Outdoor workers may be a target for other wild animals including cougars, wolves and even moose and elk. So, it’s essential for OHS coordinators to ensure that vulnerable outdoor workers get adequate safety information, instruction and training on risk of wild animal attack. Here’s a Checklist of 22 things to relay to your own workers.

BEAR & WILD ANIMAL SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR OUTDOOR WORKERS

1. Try to keep outdoor work camps and operations away from areas where previous bear attacks are known to have occurred.
2. Be on the lookout for and try to avoid areas that may be feeding grounds for bears, including:

• • Berry fields.
  • Salmon spawning areas.
  • Bee yards.
  • Grain fields.
  • Garbage pits.
  • Areas containing animal carcasses.

3. Be on the lookout for and try to avoid areas where there are other signs of bear and wild animal presence, including:

• • Droppings.
  • Footprints.
  • Trees with a lot of scratches.

4. Use fencing or other barriers to keep bears out.
5. Store food, dishes, utensils and garbage in sealed containers and places that bears can’t smell or get to.
6. Wash dishes and utensils immediately after using them and store them in a scent-proof location.
7. Keep the eating areas of camps and living quarters away from the sleeping areas.
8. Keep the camp and work area clean and free of disposed-of food and other garbage (store your garbage the same way you store your food).
9. Work in groups.
10. If possible, don’t let workers in high-risk areas work alone or in isolation.
11. If working alone can’t be avoided:

• • Provide lone workers radios or other 2-way communications equipment.
  • Follow frequent check-in procedures.
  • Ensure lone workers have the weapons, spray or other equipment necessary to defend themselves against an attack.

12. Talk loud, use whistles or horns and make a lot of noise so that bears know you’re present.
13. Try to keep your back to the wind so bears will pick up your scent.
14. Carry bear spray and other safety equipment and make sure you know how to use it properly.
15. Plan work activities to avoid times when animals are most likely to be feeding, such as early morning and evening.
16. Stay away from and never approach bear cubs, cougar kittens and wolf pups.
17. Don’t run away if you encounter a wild animal—you can’t outrun a bear—instead, try to move slowly away speaking in a calm voice at a low volume.
18. Know how to visually differentiate between a black bear and a grizzly bear.
19. If a black bear attacks you, DON’T PLAY DEAD; FIGHT BACK with everything you got – fists, rocks, bear spray, etc., aiming for the bear’s face and making as much noise as you can
20. If a grizzly bear attacks you, PLAY DEAD and DON’T FIGHT BACK:

• • Lay flat on your belly.
  • Spread your legs apart.
  • Cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
  • Stay dead still without making any noise.
  • Don’t get up immediately after the bear leaves but wait a few minutes to make sure the animal is gone.

21. If a cougar or wolf attacks you, fight back with everything you got – fists, rocks, pepper spray, etc., aiming for the animal’s face and making as much noise as you can.
22. If a moose or elk attacks you, immediately retreat facing forward without turning your back to the animal and either climb a tree or get behind a tree, rock or something else that will shield you and wait for the animal to leave