a conveyor guard may have saved his life - Workplace Safety North

HAZARD ALERT!
FORESTRY SECTOR
Vehicle carrying tree-thinning crew
narrowly escapes collision with
float truck
WHAT HAPPENED?
A tree-thinning crew was driving on a secondary logging road at the end of the day.
It was wintertime, daylight was fading, 10 cm of fresh snow was on the ground and
more was falling. The crew’s driver, who was on his first day in the cutting area, was
not familiar with the road. His vehicle was travelling at about 40 km per hour.
Without being aware of it, the driver reached an intersection with a primary logging
road. A fast-moving truck suddenly came into view on his right. The driver braked
hard as the float truck passed in front of him. His vehicle skidded into the intersection
and narrowly missed the rear of the trailer. No one was injured.
WHY DID IT HAPPEN?
When the company inspected the incident site, it realized that there was no sign
warning of the intersection. Because of the time of day, poor weather and the driver’s
unfamiliarity with the route, it was difficult for him to know where the intersection
was. Vegetation had grown in considerably on either side of the approach to the
intersection, further hampering visibility. Another secondary road on the far side of
the intersection made it look like the road continued beyond the intersection. Only
the driver’s moderate speed prevented a devastating collision from happening.
HOW COULD IT BE PREVENTED?
Many serious incidents in forestry operations in recent years have involved collisions
on logging roads. The sheer variety of types of vehicles used on these roads increases
the hazards for everyone who drives on them. The condition of the roads further adds
to the risk.
Because of the seriousness of these hazards, Sections 114 to 119 of Regulation 851 for
Industrial Establishments contain detailed requirements concerning logging roads
and the vehicles that are driven on them. For example, Section 117(c)(ii) requires that
all haul roads “have signs warning of the approach to every bridge, crossroad, blind
curve, steep grade, and railway crossing”.
Defensive driving practices are essential at all times on logging roads. Employers
have a responsibility to ensure that logging roads are well-maintained, including the
brushing of vegetation to improve sightlines. If a driver is unfamiliar with the road,
special care needs to be taken, especially in bad weather and poor lighting. Two-way
radios with which drivers communicate their position on logging roads are another
important tool to prevent collisions.
Defensive driving
practices are
essential at all times
on logging roads.
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This alert is based on an actual incident. If you have an incident you’d like to share, please email info@workplacesafetynorth.ca. The description of
circumstances does not reflect legal commentary, nor is it meant to assign legal responsibility to any person or firm.