Driver Training for Timber Haulage Driver Development Safety

Understanding HGV Safety and Fuel Efficiency in Timber Haulage • • Benefits Vehicle Safety walk around checks Safety Fuel efficiency

Necessary Qualities of Driver Training for Timber Haulage Planning Consideration Care Courtesy Responsibility Safety Staying in Control Awareness Observation

Benefits to You the Driver • • Improve fuel consumption Reduce stress and fatigue Enhance road and ‘off-tarmac’ safety Reduce vehicle downtime and costs Protect Industry, Company Brand Image Reduce Environmental Pollution Protect Livelihood

Vehicle safety checks • • • Cab air deflector Visual check of fuel tank Tyres Check bolsters Check outriggers Trailer tyre check Listen for air leaks Cab gap Engine oil / fuel leaks Binding brakes Emissions i. e. smoke In-cab instrument check

Crane safety checks • On approach, look to see how the crane is sitting and check for obvious leaks • Ensure stabilising legs are locked and the safety clips are in place • Check for damage, bulges and leaks with the hydraulics (hoses, pipes and unions) • Check pins are secure on the hydraulic ram, both at the top and the bottom • Ensure the seat and all crane access steps are in place and secure • Check the gantry for any cracks in welding or splits, and ensure it is secured • Check all location bolts for splits, on the leg beams and the chassis • Check the boom and pins are secured, and for any cracks • Ensure all lights are working and secure

Safety Awareness Safety is crucial at all times Operating on harvesting sites can be dangerous All vehicles should carry a pollution prevention kit If you are tired, take a break You must observe the law and take your minimum breaks • Do not take risks (high mileage drivers take more risks than other drivers) • • •

Risk Assessment Question: How do you get access to risk assessments for all the sites you operate on? • Understand follow the advice in the risk assessments for all sites you work on • If you have not received a copy of the necessary risk assessments, speak to your operations manager

Lone Working Good Practice Question: What procedures do you follow when lone working? • Always be aware of, and follow, best practice when lone working • Communication: It is advisable to notify someone of the following – Where you are going – Your planned route – When you will be back

Equipment Drivers must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment • Hard hat • High visibility jacket • Steel toe capped boots • Gloves • Non snag clothing Ensure PPE is kept clean and in good condition

Agreed Routes Question: What do the colours on the agreed route maps mean? • Agreed route maps must be used where they exist • All drivers should be aware of the agreed route(s) and use them Question: Do you have agreed route maps?

Driver Care Potential problems with haulage on public and forestry roads are: • • Excessive speed Unsafe loads Unnecessary damage to walls and verges Inappropriate timing Use of unsuitable ‘short-cuts’ in preference to agreed routes Delays to reporting damage Driving in convoy

On Road and Off Tarmac Driving Good Practice Drive appropriately for the weather and road conditions Observe gross vehicle weights Adhere to speed limits Be aware of other road users Plan ahead Park vehicle so it does not hinder site activities and the use of the road • The driver is responsible for deciding if a forest road is safe to use • • •

Turning • Only turn in designated turning areas (or areas where it is safe to do so) – Be aware of verges and ditches – Be aware of road edge failure • If appropriate, follow the designated 1 -way system • If possible, turn before you load • If you turn in an unsafe place, you risk your vehicle overturning

Crane Operation • Use appropriate mounting and dismounting technique when accessing the crane • Drivers must not move off unless the loader is properly secured • Maintain equipment in a safe condition for use • Inspect regularly to ensure crane is safe for use • Keep a record of inspection until the next inspection • Use suitable guards and protection devices (PPE and emergency stop buttons) • Always follow the guidance in the manufacturer’s instruction manual • Be aware of operator limitations when working at height • Only carry out maintenance when equipment is shut down

Loading • Where possible, the vehicle should be positioned away from the road edge • Adequate signage should be put in place during loading to warn others of the hazards • Loader stabilisers should always be used while loading • Where required, load spreaders should be used under outriggers • Overloading vehicles significantly increases forest road damage • Avoid uneven loading of the vehicle • Stacks must be left safe after loading

Load Security • • • Where headboards are fitted, the height of the headboard should be sufficient to stop forward movement of load If no headboard is fitted , the first bay should have two straps Following bays must have at least 1 strap per bay Timber must should not be loaded across the top of 2 adjoining bays Timber should not be loaded transversely without suitable gates Timber should not be loaded to a height greater than that of the bolsters The outer logs should not be higher than the centre log crowning the load Pins and bolsters should not spread beyond the width of the trailer when loaded Loose bolsters must not be used The load and load straps must be checked before passing from forest to public road The driver is responsible at all times for checking the load is secure

Unloading at delivery site Drivers must understand obey site safety rules Drivers should be aware of the site specific risk assessment Drivers must wear the appropriate PPE as specified in the site rules The loader should be positioned for safe and efficient unloading Stabilisers should be used when unloading with a vehicle-mounted loader The loader, pins and bolsters should be secured and checked before leaving • The vehicle should be swept clean of all debris in the designated area • Drivers should have the correct paperwork for each load • • •

Haulage Sanctions FC is monitoring breeches of policy regarding uplift procedures and overloading. Sanctions for: • Pin request after load is delivered • Failure to request a PIN • Failure to uplift within PIN window (lifting load before PIN is valid or after it expires) • Overloading Sanctions • Monitored monthly • 1 breech = 1 day ban on uplift on the contract • Contract specific • Cumulative records will be maintained and used to monitor contract performance • Persistent and repeated breaches may result in contract termination

Driver responsibilities during training • The driver is responsible for keeping within the law at all times when driving the vehicle • The driver is not under basic instruction and will have full control of the vehicle during the road drive at all times • ‘Obligation to obey the Rules and Regulations covering that particular class of vehicle on the road’

Now. . . • • ‘Check it Out’ video Forestry Safety video Eyesight check Vehicle checks