Protecting Workers in Bear Country There are a number of serious health and safety concerns employers deal with on a daily basis. One concern that often goes overlooked, however, relates to working outdoors. While employers may not consider bears a threat to their workers, the reality is that they are found in many regions throughout Canada. Estimates suggest that there are around 25,000 grizzly bears across British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and parts of Manitoba. The black bear population is even more robust, with around 380,000 bears scattered across all provinces. Employers, particularly those that have employees who frequently work outdoors, have a responsibility to understand bear behaviour and to take the appropriate cautionary action. Doing so ensures that, in the event of a bear encounter, both your workers and the animal come out unscathed. Bear Identification and Common Signs The first step, and arguably the most important, when dealing with a bear encounter is to identify whether you are dealing with a black bear or a grizzly bear. While similar, both bears react differently to various situations, and, in most cases, have opposing temperaments. While you may think differentiating a black bear from a grizzly is as easy as observing the colour of its fur, that s not always the case. Both black and grizzly bears fur can range from blonde to black. As such, identifying a species comes down to observing other physical features. Black bears typically have short claws of about 3 centimetres about 5 centimetres smaller than that of a grizzly bear. Black bears also have more pointed ears when compared to a grizzly s rounded ones. Estimates suggest that there are around 25,000 grizzly bears across British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and parts of Manitoba. The black bear population is even more robust, with around 380,000 bears scattered across all provinces. A black bear s face features a flat forehead and muzzle, while grizzly bears have more of an angular face. Grizzly bears will typically be stouter and have a pronounced shoulder hump. While it s important to know how to distinguish black bears and grizzly bears in person, it s better to avoid contact altogether. If a worker comes across any of the following signs of a bear, they should leave the area immediately: Provided by [B_Officalname] This Risk Insights is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. 2016 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
Tracks Droppings Overturned rocks and logs Clawed or bitten trees Hair Fresh diggings A fresh kill or animal carcass Understanding Bear Behaviour While different species of bear behave differently, there are a number of common characteristics that are important to keep in mind. Understanding the following behaviours can help workers avoid potentially dangerous encounters: Bears are curious by nature, as this helps them track down and assess potential sources of food. Bears have an excellent sense of smell, which they use to find food. Bears are incredibly smart and crafty, easily finding access to buildings, automobiles and containers in search of food. Bears are wary of people and often try to avoid humans altogether. However, frequent contact with people can lead to habituation. This is especially concerning if bears begin to associate humans with food. Bears have a sense of personal space, and will act negatively during a human intrusion. Preventing Human Habituation Human habituation is one of the greatest risk factors when it comes to bears. Habituation occurs when bears become too comfortable with humans. This lack of fear can lead to more close encounters and an increased risk of an attack. As such, to protect workers, it s critical to try to stave off habituation by practising the following: Create boundaries to prevent bears from entering a worksite. These barriers should be around 400 metres from a camp or worksite. If and when a bear encroaches on your set boundaries, utilize items like a bear banger, flares or other unpleasant stimuli. This will work as negative reinforcement, teaching bears that humans are a potential threat. Keep all food secured and away from bears. Avoid staying in close proximity to a bear for prolonged periods of time, even if the bear is not acting in a threatening manner. Whenever you preform work outdoors, consider yourself to be in the bear s domain. To help avoid habituation, it s a good idea to plan worksite locations based around local wildlife, steering clear of common bear territory if at all possible. Preventing and Responding to Bear Encounters The best way to prevent workers from being injured by a bear attack is to avoid the animals all together. There are two main ways people can avoid bear encounters: 1) never surprise a bear; and 2) take appropriate measures to prevent attracting bears to a worksite. The following are helpful strategies you can use in each instance: How to Prevent Surprising a Bear 1. Be loud. Bears especially grizzlies are likely to attack in defence when startled. To avoid triggering a bear encounter, talk, sing and rattle objects to make your presence known. It should be noted that bear bells a common noise maker on the market aren t always effective
and can, in some instances, attract bears to your location. 2. Slow down. It s a good idea to pace yourself when traversing through bear country. A bear is much more likely to be startled by a fastmoving, quiet person. 3. Be aware of outdoor conditions. Wind, rain and other storms can be loud, preventing bears from hearing your approach. Also, never travel at night or through heavy cover, as this makes it difficult for bears to see you. As an added precaution, be aware of wind direction, as bears rely on their keen sense of smell to hunt. 4. Travel smart. Always walk in groups and avoid travelling alone at all costs. Some experts recommend travelling in groups of four or more whenever possible. How to Prevent Attracting a Bear 1. Do your research when picking worksites and lodging locations. When choosing a worksite or seeking out potential lodging for workers, being aware of common bear territory can help prevent bear encounters. When possible, choose lodging or worksites that are away from established trails and shorelines, as these are popular areas for bears to commute to and from locations. 2. Keep food safe. Food is the most common attractant for bears. Limit and contain food waste whenever possible. Purchasing bear-proof containers to store and dispose of food will help limit unwanted bear encounters. It s also a good idea to cook downwind and never eat where you sleep. If your options are limited, hanging food from a tree and out of reach can be a good method for deterring bears. Despite best efforts and precautionary measures, bear encounters can happen at any time, and without warning. When encountering a bear, a worker should be instructed to do one or more of the following in order to prevent a full-on attack from occurring: 1. If you spot a bear nearby and it does not yet notice you, walk away slowly. Give the bear a wide berth as you retreat or navigate around the animal. 2. If the bear is aware of your presence, stay calm and appear non-threatening. Then, follow one or more of these steps: a. Back away slowly. b. Speak softly to the bear and avoid running away. Bears are incredibly fast, and running may provoke a hunting instinct in the animal. c. Ensure the bear has an escape route and is not cornered. d. Prepare for an attack by arming yourself with bear spray, bear bangers, flares, sticks or rocks. In general, during an encounter, it s important to not act impulsively or suddenly. Stay calm and appear as nonthreatening as possible to ensure the encounter doesn t escalate into an attack. Preventing and Responding to Bear Attacks More serious than bear encounters, bear attacks can be deadly. There are two main types of bear attacks defensive and predatory. Workers will need to be instructed on how to react to both types of attacks if they are to make it through an attack without serious injury.
Defensive Attacks Defensive attacks occur when a bear is threatened or protecting a kill or its cubs. With defensive attacks, the bear will exhibit visible signs of stress through its body posture, vocalisation, huffing and swatting. When a defensive attack is imminent, workers should take one or more of the following actions: 1. Remain calm. 2. Speak softly. 3. Avoid sudden movements and direct eye contact. 4. Never run and stand your ground if charged. Playing dead should be used as a last resort and only during defensive attacks. To play dead, workers should lay face down on the ground right before initial contact with the bear. Then, workers should clasp their hands around the back of their necks, remain calm and continue to roll onto their stomachs as needed. Bears attacking defensively will eventually lose interest once they feel a threat has been neutralized. Predatory Attacks Predatory attacks are rare, but generally occur when a bear is trying to exert its dominance or get an easy meal. Predatory attacks are concerning because the bears will often show no signs of stress, and, unlike defensive attacks, may attempt to kill their victims. When a predatory attack is imminent, workers should take one or more of the following actions: 1. Avoid running and do not make direct eye contact. 2. Act aggressively and make yourself seem larger. 3. Shout in a loud manner. 4. Prepare to fight back. Never, ever play dead during a predatory attack. This is because predatory attacks are life or death situations, and bears will see the victim as food. If attacked, workers should be instructed to kick, punch and strike the eyes of the bear as much as possible. Deterrents Prior to conducting work in bear country, it s important that workers are armed with the proper deterrents. These deterrents can be effective in preventing a physical encounter with a bear. There are a number of deterrents available to consumers, including: Noise deterrents like air horns, bangers, 12- gauge screamers and 12-gauge crackers Physical deterrents like bear spray as well as 12- gauge bean bags, rubber slugs and rubber buckshot Bear-resistant garbage containers and waste disposal wrappers Electric fencing Motion detectors The types of deterrents you use will depend on your needs. At a minimum, workers out in the field should be armed with non-lethal deterrents like bear spray. Planning for Working Around Bears Whenever your organization plans to do work in or around bear country, it s important to take the appropriate steps to ensure the health and safety of workers. Beyond understanding the behaviours of various bears local to your area of work, the following are a few safety tips for working around bears: Understand the general timetable of local bears. Knowing when bears are most active, when they tend to feed and when they mate
can help you avoid contact with them when they are at their most dangerous. Managers should plan work during hours of the day when encounters and attacks are rare. Take safety training. Make strides to understand specific behavioural habits of bears and other dangerous animals through safety training administered by wildlife experts. Then, pass that knowledge onto workers to help keep the worksite safe. Provide workers with safety equipment. Giving workers devices like whistles to notify nearby help as well as repellants to ward off attacking animals can protect them from danger. Create an emergency response plan. In the event of a bear attack, employers will want to be prepared with an emergency response plan. Doing so can ensure that injured workers are able to receive the help they need immediately following an attack. Bear management plans can also be helpful tools, and should take into account bear populations, seasonality, terrain and potential deterrents available. Avoid bears together. As previously mentioned, the best way to avoid a bear attack is to a eliminate contact altogether. Be sure that your worksite is practising the bear encounter prevention tactics listed in this Risk Insights. Managers have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their workers. Bear attacks can happen during any outdoor job without warning. Above all, education and preparation can go a long way towards ensuring a project is animal-attack free. For more industry-specific Risk Insights, contact Del Fisher Insurance Inc. today.