Details of Incident / Close Call:
- Log was not secured within the stakes.
- Wrappers removed at dewrap station, as the arms were raised the log fell and struck drivers hand.
- Driver taken to hospital and received stitches on finger.
- The load was checked part way from block to mill and the log was not loose at this time.
- Driver did not assess the load for hazards such as loose logs or objects prior to removing the wrappers at the mill.
Potential Hazards
- Logs or objects that are not secured within stakes in a load have potential to fall below the arms on dewrap station.
- Dewrap only protects from logs that come overtop the stakes and not logs that are lower than the dewrap arms.
- Short logs should be contained within the bundle and not on the outside or top of a load.
- Dewrap station may create a false sense of security that it protects drivers from all potential hazards.
- Loads may shift during the trip - rough roads, frost heaves, train crossings all contribute.
Learnings and Suggestions:
- Prior to leaving Loader ensure load is crowned and all logs on the outside of the load horizontally extend more than 6” past the stakes.
- Drivers complete hazard assessment of load prior to lowering dewrap arms and removing wrappers.
- If load found to be unsafe, do not use dewrap station. Call loader operator to assist in safely restraining load prior to removing wrappers.
- Log yard and Harvesting supervisors to increase frequency of observations at dewrap stations with a focus on educating the importance of hazard assessment.
- Woodlands Transportation Safety Procedures updated to include, assessing load prior to using the dewrap and what to do if unsafe load identified.
For more information on this submitted alert:
