Black Bear Encounter Black Bear Encounter Safety PolicySafety Policy

Ministry of Natural ResourcesMinistry of Natural Resources

IntroductionIntroductionMNR undertakes a variety of operations MNR undertakes a variety of operations that involve employees working in that involve employees working in black bear habitat, occasionally this black bear habitat, occasionally this may result in an encountermay result in an encounter

ObjectiveObjective: To provide an overview of : To provide an overview of the policy and ensure that you the policy and ensure that you understand all of your responsibilities understand all of your responsibilities as related to policy requirementsas related to policy requirements

ScopeScope All MNR employees who may be required to All MNR employees who may be required to

work in field locations known to be black work in field locations known to be black bear habitatbear habitat

All contractorsAll contractors Any MNR employee responsible for storage Any MNR employee responsible for storage

and/or transportation of Ministry issued and/or transportation of Ministry issued bear spraybear spray

Policy can be located in Outlook under Policy can be located in Outlook under public folders-Natural Resources-public folders-Natural Resources-Health&SafetyHealth&Safety

PurposePurposeTo ensure individuals to whom this To ensure individuals to whom this policy applies are aware of the ways to policy applies are aware of the ways to prevent and respond to a black bear prevent and respond to a black bear encounterencounterPolicy does not govern nuisance bear Policy does not govern nuisance bear managementmanagementWill provide a means for employees to Will provide a means for employees to request bear spray and address the request bear spray and address the hazards associated with its usehazards associated with its useRequirements under OHSA and Criminal Requirements under OHSA and Criminal Code of Canada (prohibited weapons)Code of Canada (prohibited weapons)

Training StandardTraining StandardAll staff must receive training or All staff must receive training or instruction in black bear awareness instruction in black bear awareness and encounter techniques and review and encounter techniques and review material in Appendix one of policy, material in Appendix one of policy, before working in fieldbefore working in fieldWill view two video’s Will view two video’s Staying Safe in Bear Country

Working in Bear Country

Appendix two, specific training in bear spray safe work procedures, must be completed if spray is issued/responsible for storage or transport

Mandatory RequirementsMandatory RequirementsRecords of training must be kept on file at Records of training must be kept on file at the workplace and made available to JHSCthe workplace and made available to JHSCA supervisor may only grant an A supervisor may only grant an employees request for bear spray if:employees request for bear spray if:

1.The individual received training per appendix one 1.The individual received training per appendix one

2. The individual received training per appendix two2. The individual received training per appendix two

3. If the individual has a medical condition ( allergy, 3. If the individual has a medical condition ( allergy, asthma) asthma) a clearance/approval must be obtained a clearance/approval must be obtained from a physicianfrom a physician

Mandatory RequirementsMandatory RequirementsBear spray canisters are to be a maximum Bear spray canisters are to be a maximum size of 260 grams and must display a size of 260 grams and must display a pesticide control product act registration #pesticide control product act registration #A bear spray inventory form must be filled A bear spray inventory form must be filled out and kept on file for all bear spray being out and kept on file for all bear spray being issuedissuedAny lost canisters of spray are to be reported Any lost canisters of spray are to be reported to supervisor and issuerto supervisor and issuerAll employees must carry a whistle, air-horn All employees must carry a whistle, air-horn or both while engaged in field activitiesor both while engaged in field activities

Mandatory RequirementsMandatory RequirementsIf issued bear spray an employee must:If issued bear spray an employee must:1. Store in a locked cabinet or other secure place when not in 1. Store in a locked cabinet or other secure place when not in fieldfield2. Transport in a vehicle in such a way that accidental discharge 2. Transport in a vehicle in such a way that accidental discharge will not effect occupants (not in passenger compartment)will not effect occupants (not in passenger compartment)3. Not transport in aircraft (MNR/Commercial). Turbo Beaver 3. Not transport in aircraft (MNR/Commercial). Turbo Beaver float float compartments onlycompartments only4. In field carry in manner that provides immediate access4. In field carry in manner that provides immediate access5. Ensure it is not shared or available to anyone not properly 5. Ensure it is not shared or available to anyone not properly trained or instructedtrained or instructed6. Return any discharged or partially discharged canister for 6. Return any discharged or partially discharged canister for replacementreplacement

Mandatory RequirementsMandatory RequirementsAll issued spray remains property of the All issued spray remains property of the MNR, and must be returned:MNR, and must be returned:1. At the end of the field session 1. At the end of the field session 2. When their employment with MNR ends2. When their employment with MNR ends3. Following accidental or intentional discharge for replacement3. Following accidental or intentional discharge for replacement4. Upon request from the MNR4. Upon request from the MNR

Any instances of discharge (except Any instances of discharge (except training), must be documented and training), must be documented and reported to:reported to:

1. The Supervisor1. The Supervisor 2. The local JH&SC2. The local JH&SC

3. The Occupational Health and Safety Unit in the HR Branch3. The Occupational Health and Safety Unit in the HR Branch

Mandatory RequirementsMandatory RequirementsIf transporting an air-horn by aircraft, three If transporting an air-horn by aircraft, three conditions must be followed:conditions must be followed: 1. The air-horn must contain tetrafluorethane, so that it will 1. The air-horn must contain tetrafluorethane, so that it will

not fall under dangerous goods (IATA legislation )not fall under dangerous goods (IATA legislation ) 2. It must be disassembled, and a cover placed on the canister valve2. It must be disassembled, and a cover placed on the canister valve

3. The pilot must be advised of the presence of the air-horn3. The pilot must be advised of the presence of the air-horn

Where the ministry has contracted for Where the ministry has contracted for services of another employer, confirmation services of another employer, confirmation must be obtained from the contractor that must be obtained from the contractor that they are aware of the policythey are aware of the policy

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilitiesManagers:Managers:1. Review work activities to determine policy application1. Review work activities to determine policy application2. Ensure mandatory requirements are implemented in local operating 2. Ensure mandatory requirements are implemented in local operating proceduresprocedures3. Provide the local JH&SC or Health and Safety Rep with a copy of the 3. Provide the local JH&SC or Health and Safety Rep with a copy of the policypolicy

Supervisors:Supervisors:1. Ensure employees have all required training/instruction 1. Ensure employees have all required training/instruction 2. Confirm employees are complying with bear safety working procedures2. Confirm employees are complying with bear safety working procedures3. Ensure all records ( training, storing and issuing ) are maintained3. Ensure all records ( training, storing and issuing ) are maintained4. Account for all bear spray in the workplace4. Account for all bear spray in the workplace5. Review all reports of bear spray use, conduct investigation if required, 5. Review all reports of bear spray use, conduct investigation if required, report report any cases to Occupational Health and Safety Unit and local JH&SCany cases to Occupational Health and Safety Unit and local JH&SC

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilitiesEmployees/WorkersEmployees/Workers1. Works in compliance to the policy, training and instruction provided 1. Works in compliance to the policy, training and instruction provided and uses issued spray only in accordance to Ministry instructionsand uses issued spray only in accordance to Ministry instructions2. Does not use bear spray that appears to be defective or unsafe, 2. Does not use bear spray that appears to be defective or unsafe, notifies supervisor of such incidentsnotifies supervisor of such incidents3. Reports any black bear encounter where employee felt threatened, 3. Reports any black bear encounter where employee felt threatened, and reports any use of bear spray (accidental or intentional)and reports any use of bear spray (accidental or intentional)

JH&SC or Health and Safety RepJH&SC or Health and Safety Rep1. Monitors the application of policy as part or regular committee 1. Monitors the application of policy as part or regular committee dutiesduties

Black Bear Awareness and Black Bear Awareness and Encounter TechniquesEncounter Techniques

Hazards and Situations:Hazards and Situations:1. Activities that require frequent stooping/bending, increase chance 1. Activities that require frequent stooping/bending, increase chance of a of a surprise encounter. Stand up and scan oftensurprise encounter. Stand up and scan often2. Working in thick bush or under noisy conditions (windy, rivers)2. Working in thick bush or under noisy conditions (windy, rivers)3. Seasonal food sources ( spawning, various berries, dumps). Also 3. Seasonal food sources ( spawning, various berries, dumps). Also the the smell of rotting carrion. ( a presence of scavengers, ie. Ravens smell of rotting carrion. ( a presence of scavengers, ie. Ravens may may indicate a rotting carcass)indicate a rotting carcass)4. Fresh Bear sign, ( moist vs. older dry sign ) learn to recognize, 4. Fresh Bear sign, ( moist vs. older dry sign ) learn to recognize, scat, scat, tracks, recent digging, recent feeding areas, marking tracks, recent digging, recent feeding areas, marking trees/poststrees/posts5. Females with cubs, especially in the spring ( unwilling to move ). 5. Females with cubs, especially in the spring ( unwilling to move ). Will Will usually send cubs up a large tree making a distinct soundusually send cubs up a large tree making a distinct sound6. A close encounter with cubs may result in vocalizing, huffing, 6. A close encounter with cubs may result in vocalizing, huffing, moaning or moaning or jaw popping or a bluff chargejaw popping or a bluff charge7. Dogs are not advised7. Dogs are not advised8. Base sites or camps often attract bears, take appropriate actions 8. Base sites or camps often attract bears, take appropriate actions before before bear activity startsbear activity starts

PreventativePreventative Measures MeasuresStay alert, pay attention, take advantage of Stay alert, pay attention, take advantage of increased lines of sight ( ridge tops )increased lines of sight ( ridge tops )Making frequent noise when moving may limit Making frequent noise when moving may limit the chance of startling a bearthe chance of startling a bearAvoid wearing perfumes/colognes that may Avoid wearing perfumes/colognes that may cause a bear to investigate the smellcause a bear to investigate the smellIf carrying food, ensure it is in an airtight If carrying food, ensure it is in an airtight containercontainerAvoid carcasses, if you do come on one, walk Avoid carcasses, if you do come on one, walk slowly away in a direction that is openslowly away in a direction that is openIf you see a bear, move away in a direction If you see a bear, move away in a direction that gives the bear an escape route.that gives the bear an escape route.

Preventative MeasuresPreventative MeasuresBears will travel over 100kms to a food sourceBears will travel over 100kms to a food sourceThe majority of problems occur due to The majority of problems occur due to improperly stored garbage/food, bears can improperly stored garbage/food, bears can quickly associate humans to food sourcesquickly associate humans to food sourcesBears will lose their natural fear of humans Bears will lose their natural fear of humans with repeated exposures to a food source and with repeated exposures to a food source and may become destructive or dangerousmay become destructive or dangerousNever intentionally feed bears, even from a Never intentionally feed bears, even from a vehiclevehicleBesides garbage dumps, pet food left outdoors, Besides garbage dumps, pet food left outdoors, compost, fruit trees, beehives, bbq, bird compost, fruit trees, beehives, bbq, bird feeders, sweetcorn and grain fields may attract feeders, sweetcorn and grain fields may attract bearsbears

Preventative MeasuresPreventative MeasuresAvoid camp areas often used by othersAvoid camp areas often used by othersPlan your camp to reduce the likelihood of setting Plan your camp to reduce the likelihood of setting up near abundant natural food sourcesup near abundant natural food sourcesSelect a site that is open and provides good Select a site that is open and provides good viewing prior to stepping out of tent/trailer/cabinviewing prior to stepping out of tent/trailer/cabinKeep site clean, don’t burn food scraps or fat in Keep site clean, don’t burn food scraps or fat in fire pitfire pitDo not cook, eat or store food/toiletries in your Do not cook, eat or store food/toiletries in your tenttentIf bears become aggressive and enter If bears become aggressive and enter tent/trailers, think about installing electrical tent/trailers, think about installing electrical fencingfencing

Encounter Techniques-Common Encounter Techniques-Common EncounterEncounter

A bear may avoid you without your A bear may avoid you without your knowledge, the bear will sense human activity knowledge, the bear will sense human activity and leave without you knowing it was presentand leave without you knowing it was presentIf sighted from a distance the bear may leave If sighted from a distance the bear may leave the areathe areaThe bear runs in the opposite direction when The bear runs in the opposite direction when it first sees you, the bear wants to avoid it first sees you, the bear wants to avoid human contacthuman contactIf a bear seems unconcerned with your If a bear seems unconcerned with your presence it usually means you are outside its presence it usually means you are outside its personal space. The bear may be feeding, do personal space. The bear may be feeding, do not approachnot approach

Encounter Techniques-Close Encounter Techniques-Close EncounterEncounter

A bear that does not avoid you could be curious, A bear that does not avoid you could be curious, asserting dominance or in extremely rare cases asserting dominance or in extremely rare cases be predatorybe predatorySurprise- most encounters that lead to contact Surprise- most encounters that lead to contact are caused by the bear being startled at close are caused by the bear being startled at close rangerangeA bear’s personal space differs from bear to bearA bear’s personal space differs from bear to bearA bear will show signs when you are entering it’s A bear will show signs when you are entering it’s personal space (a change in body posture such personal space (a change in body posture such as head down, eyes narrowed or ears back). This as head down, eyes narrowed or ears back). This may lead to snorting or huffing, jaw popping, may lead to snorting or huffing, jaw popping, avoiding eye contact, swatting vegetation, foot avoiding eye contact, swatting vegetation, foot stomping and finally a bluff chargestomping and finally a bluff charge

Reasons why a bear will Reasons why a bear will approachapproach

Defensive- you are too close, the bear will Defensive- you are too close, the bear will show signs of stressshow signs of stressCurious- bear may stand, ears forward, nose in Curious- bear may stand, ears forward, nose in air, information gathering not threateningair, information gathering not threateningTesting Dominance- bear may glance your way Testing Dominance- bear may glance your way with ears up and no stress signswith ears up and no stress signsFood Conditioned-has associated humans to a Food Conditioned-has associated humans to a food source without any previous bad food source without any previous bad experiencesexperiencesPredatory-eyes fixed, following you, may press Predatory-eyes fixed, following you, may press closer and closer assessing if it is safe to closer and closer assessing if it is safe to attack. This is extremely rareattack. This is extremely rare

Your ResponseYour Response Depends on circumstances and bear Depends on circumstances and bear

behaviourbehaviour If acting defensively, assess and respondIf acting defensively, assess and respond Remain calm, stand your ground, do not Remain calm, stand your ground, do not

run. Raise your arms and talk to bear in run. Raise your arms and talk to bear in calm voice. You are assuring the bear you calm voice. You are assuring the bear you are not a threatare not a threat

Try to slowly move upwind and back away Try to slowly move upwind and back away from the bear the way you came, always from the bear the way you came, always keep your eyes on the bearkeep your eyes on the bear

You cannot outrun a bearYou cannot outrun a bear

Your ResponseYour ResponseIf you must continue forward give the bear If you must continue forward give the bear time to leave. Make noise and proceed with time to leave. Make noise and proceed with caution.caution.A female with cubs does not want to risk any A female with cubs does not want to risk any injury to her offspring, give lots of personal injury to her offspring, give lots of personal spacespacePredatory like behaviour may just mean you Predatory like behaviour may just mean you are in the intended path of the bear, move are in the intended path of the bear, move slowly away leaving a clear path for the bearslowly away leaving a clear path for the bearIf you have responded accordingly and the If you have responded accordingly and the bear is still intent and focused on you, its bear is still intent and focused on you, its time to become aggressivetime to become aggressive

Becoming AggressiveBecoming AggressiveMake yourself appear as large as possibleMake yourself appear as large as possible

Stand on high ground Raise your arms high Shout aggressively Utilize a whistle or air-horn Use a shovel or stick whatever is available in an

aggressive manner You want the bear to think it may become injured if it

persists The bear cannot think you are prey by acting

subordinate, you must act as if you are dominant to the bear

Becoming AggressiveBecoming AggressiveIf a black bear attacks (defensive or predatory), If a black bear attacks (defensive or predatory), for whatever reason your response is the samefor whatever reason your response is the sameDO NOT PLAY DEADDO NOT PLAY DEAD (disregard advice (disregard advice from video “ staying safe in bear from video “ staying safe in bear country”)country”)Fighting is your best chance to end the attackFighting is your best chance to end the attackFight back with everything you haveFight back with everything you haveStrike at face and eyes, use whatever you can, Strike at face and eyes, use whatever you can, rock, stick, pen etc.rock, stick, pen etc.NEVER GIVE UPNEVER GIVE UP