Do tree planters live on the edge?: health risk-taking among reforestation workers in Northern British Columbia

Abstract

The nature of the treeplanting business as a seasonal, high-income opportunity for employment attracts 3,000 young people from across Canada to Prince George, British Columbia every year.Treeplanters typically work in campsites located in remote areas surrounding Prince George and travel to the city for recreation on their days off. Despite treeplanters ' key role in the maintenance of forestry activity in B.C., and recognition of the work as grueling and unglamourous, these workers are often regarded negatively by the broader community. Their summer planting tenures are said to be characterized by heavy alcohol and drug use and sexual promiscuity. Within northern B.C. treeplanters are widely regarded as a "breed of their own" and as representing a "distinct culture".Participant observation and in-depth interviews were conducted to gain insight into the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviour oftreeplanters in the context ofthe subculture in which they live and work. Treeplanters reported physical rather than social aspects of treeplanting as posing health risk. Social health risk-taking did emerge as an issue, however, and elements oftreeplanting subculture are reported that demonstrate its obvious distinctiveness from the home environment.Membership in treeplanting subculture provides powerful incentive for young people entering the business but also provides an environment where more permissive norms, feelings of anonymity, greater tolerance for otherwise unacceptable behaviour, and little information regarding health and safety exist. A strong social organization bestowing power based on number of years of experience and gender reinforces group norms. Risk-related social activities maintain an integral place within the subculture and promote a sense of camaraderie and collectivity. Determinants oftreeplanters' health risk-taking are identified as: the intensity ofthe working conditions creating a need for release and physical closeness, the hierarchy promoting full participation in the subculture as a means to 11 gain status within the group, and the remote setting lending itself to feelings of anonymity.Additional study is required that will collect prevalence and incidence data of risk-related behaviour and further explore the social context of treeplanting work, paying attention to both the physical and social health risks.lll