BCForest Safety Council – Safety Alert – British Columbia Community Forest Association

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February 1, 2016
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Preventative actions for log truck drivers

On January 26th, a 22 year old log truck driver was fatally injured in an incident on Highway 5A between Princeton and Merritt. The unloaded logging truck went off the road, down a steep embankment and the cab was crushed. Road conditions were reported as being icy at the time of the incident.

The Coroners Service is investigating the incident and the results will be released as soon as possible.

There have been 3 log truck driver fatalities in the last 3 months. If you haul logs or supervise log hauling operations, take the time to focus on improving the safety of your business. The details of this incident are unknown but here are some suggested actions:

Slow down, winter conditions are challenging. Darkness, poor visibility and icy road conditions all require slower driving to manage safely.
Get better information on road and weather conditions. Use websites like DriveBC and Environment Canada’s Weather page.
Make the decision to shut down operations when poor road conditions make hauling too hazardous.
Mentor young workers. Pair up an experienced driver with a new or young driver so they can share important advice and safety information.
Conduct detailed maintenance checks. Get any overdue service work completed.
Hold a special safety meeting. Discuss the recent fatal incidents and how they could have been prevented.
Manage fatigue with your drivers. Encourage naps and reduced hours at work to avoid impairment from lack of sleep.