Location:
West Thurlow Island, East of Campbell River
Date of Incident / Close Call:
Details of Incident / Close Call:
It is with great sadness that the BC Forest Safety Council notifies the forestry community of the second direct harvesting related fatality of 2013.
A log truck driver was fatally injured while attempting to cut free a log that was not positioned properly in the load. After using a chainsaw to buck a section of the log free, the remainder of the log swung around and struck the driver.
This incident occurred on West Thurlow Island, which is located east of Campbell River.
This incident is under investigation and the exact cause is still being determined.
Learnings and Suggestions:
Below are some important safety items to review with your log truck drivers and crew:
- Upset Conditions – Incidents are more likely to occur when workers are dealing with an unusual situation. Mechanical breakdowns or working shorthanded are examples of upset conditions where it is critical to focus on assessing and managing risks.
- Risk Assessment – Use RADAR to identify hazards and assess risks during upset conditions:
- Bucking Logs – Identify if the log is under tension or compression. This stored energy can be suddenly released when cuts are made. Ensure you are properly trained (e.g. chain saw training to help identify related hazards) and equipped (e.g. necessary PPE and tools) to complete the work.
- Get Help – Identify problems with loads of logs before you leave the loading site. The loader can safely and quickly fix most problems; involve a co-worker in assessing and solving the problem.
- Fatigue – Truck driving is a tiring and demanding job. Fatigue impairs judgment and our ability to spot negative outcomes. If you are tired, stop and take a moment to consider all the possible outcomes of your actions.
For more information on this submitted alert:
As more detail is made available on this incident, the Council will provide additional resources and information
