Resource Roads and Radio Use Changes 2007

SAFETY IMPLICATIONS

Why is this necessary?• too many crashes and close calls because of lack of communication or miscommunication

• inconsistencies in calling procedures, signage, area frequencies

• too many channel changes, especially in multiple user situations (other industries, more than one mill or contractor, etc)

• mobility of trucks – moving around the province, working in different areas because of weather and seasonal changes, truck shortages, BCTS, longer hauls, 2 way hauls, mountain pine beetle, dimension logs, specialized mills....

Why is this necessary?

• to reduce incidences of crashes in the bush because somebody was on the wrong channel

• to ensure that wherever you are in the province, you have the right channel in your radio

• to clear channels of non-forestry users

Both these incidents were loaded trucks rearending other loaded trucks in adverse weather conditions – top, dust, Summer 06; bottom, fog, Winter 06. Fortunately both drivers lived; both weren’t on the right channel because they were short term hauls, so didn’t get channels programmed into their radios.

How will this make the roads safer?• every radio-equipped vehicle will have the same resource road safety channels programmed in across the province

• dedicated resource road safety channels will be clearly identified by specific signage, which will ensure clear communication

• road channels will not be used for loading channels

Forestry TruckSafe’s Commitment• education of road users around new radio channels and usage

• communication with road users through Forest Safety Council website, Rumblings newsletter, presentations, media, public meetings

• exploring options on finding funding assistance for re-programming with new channels in pilot areas

• communications with Industry Canada and BC Timber Sales re: radio-use related incidents on roads

• development of regional “radio calling procedures” with stakeholders

Forestry TruckSafe’s Commitment cont’d

• to support BCTS contractors by providing information packages

• to educate non-forestry resource road users – oil & gas, mining, guiding, tourism, service industry

• to provide web-based on-going support that will allow road users to identify what channels are used where; who is using them, what the “rules of the road are” and what the radio calling protocols are

• provide “hotline” support to deal with issues as they arise

Because the bottom line is.....

Contact Info:

MaryAnne Arcand

Director, Forestry TruckSafe & Northern Initiatives

1-877-324-1212 or 250-612-2267

arcand@bcforestsafe.org www.bcforestsafe.org

“unsafe is unacceptable”