A Western Canadian Timber Products Supervisor was onsite at a harvesting block in East Harrison. The loader operator had contacted the site supervisor indicating that the sub-contracted log truck driver whose truck he was loading appeared to be totally green.

He observed that the driver had attempted to turn the truck around twice, stalling out the truck. The site supervisor waited at the stamp hammer location for the truck.

His observations of the driver included:

• Stalling the truck again
• Spinning tires despite two sets of chains
• Incorrect wrapper placement.

The supervisor assisted with wrapper placement and after the driver indicated he did not know how to mark his load, or read his scales, the supervisor asked how long the driver had been hauling logs. The driver indicated that this was his ‘first load ever.’

The driver said he had five years experience hauling freight on the highway and that the company he was now working for had done one ride-along the week before. The supervisor, wanting to give the driver the benefit of the doubt, suggested they proceed slowly from the stamp hammer and he would ride with the driver.

After failing to negotiate the first switchback and coming to a stop on the outside edge of the road, the supervisor requested that the loader operator come and unload the truck. After the load was removed, it became obvious that the compensator was not unlatched or in the open position.