Fatality Alert
On November 13th, a log truck driver was fatally injured when he was run over by another log truck in a maintenance yard. The incident occurred near the village of Midway, BC.
Our condolences go out to the family, co-workers of the deceased, and all those affected by this incident.
WorkSafeBC, the RCMP and the Coroners Service are investigating.
This is the 10th direct forestry fatality of 2016 and the 6th log truck driver fatality.
Although the details of this incident are still unknown, review the following safety information:
- Before starting or moving any vehicle or piece of equipment, do a walk around to ensure the area is clear
- Train drivers and operators of mobile equipment to use standardized horn signals to warn others in the area. For example, Part 26 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation has the following signals:
| 1 honk |
STOP |
| 2 honks |
BACK UP |
| 3 honks |
GO AHEAD |
- All workers in an operation must be aware of the blind spots of their own equipment and all the equipment on site
- Establish and follow procedures for approaching and working on equipment that include:
- Communicating with the operator or driver by radio and getting a positive signal from them prior to approaching,
- Waiting until the equipment is parked, idled down and attachments lowered before approaching,
- Where work is not being done in designated bays, maintaining a minimum distance between equipment and
- Lock out procedures
- Wear high visibility clothing whenever you are working around mobile equipment, including routine maintenance and all work in the bush
