Team Safe Monthly

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Working to Train New & Existing Forestry Transportation Drivers

TEAM SafeTrucking June 2020Issue 22 UPDATE...

... All,As forest products hauling professionals from all across the country, we transport thousands of tons of raw unprocessed wood products each day. We are the backbone of America’s rural economy. Most days we perform our duties flawlessly and with a level of professionalism unrivaled by any other industry in the nation. We, or our drivers, transport our products, usually without incident, to normal markets via normal routes directly from the woods. However, there are times when things can go wrong, changing our jobs from normal to unusual very quickly. Sometimes it’s a change in weather, moving a crew, or a loss of a market. Sometimes it is a state of emergency that can impact our jobs. Usually when these changes happen, we are pressured to move more quickly. That’s when we may be tempted to cut corners, or push the envelope when it comes to safety. This is when terrible things can happen. We assume that we can control outcomes, and usually that’s not the case.

Training is important, especially during these stressful times when we still have to move our products while dealing with all these extra factors that are not our norm. One mix-up, one quick stressful decision can cost all of us more than we would like to admit. So please continue to invest in training drivers. We need to remind ourselves and our drivers, how important training is. In these stressful times of change we need to take the extra steps to ensure we are working safely in order to deliver our product and ourselves in one piece. During these times of high pressure, I strongly encourage all of us to take a deep breath and slow down.

Richard W. Schwab

TEAM Safe Trucking’s Semi-Annual Fall MeetingSeptember 23, 2020 1-4 pm

Branson, MOwww.teamsafetrucking.com under Events to register

Team Safe Trucking3881 Ten Oaks Rd 2EGlenelg, MD 21737Phone: 877-399-7757info@teamsafetrucking.com

President’s Message

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HELP FILL THESE SEATS!

ISSUE 22

Involvement is key when building a career as well as keeping the industry we love strong. Do you care what happens in the forestry transportation industry? Are you passionate about strengthening the forest products industry as a whole? Do you want to add to your resume? Then plan on attending the TEAM Safe Trucking’s Semi-Annual Meeting in Branson on September 23rd from 1- 4pm at the Branson Convention Center. Get involved, have an impact. We will be forming the following committees:

◊ Research, Awareness, Education & Programming Committee◊ Fundraising Committee◊ Nominating Committee◊ Communications Committee◊ Insurance Committee

Join us at TEAM Safe Trucking’s Semi-Annual Meeting to make a difference. Go to www. teamsafetrucking.com and click on Events to register. Know what committee you would most be interested in? Give Mrianda Gowell a call at 207-841-0250 or reach out by email at miranda.gowell@teamsafetrucking.com to learn more.

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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsorships are what keeps TEAM Safe Trucking moving forward. Whether you become a sponsor, or know a great potential sponsor, we need everyone to help! Here is a list of the various ways to support

TEAM Safe Trucking in 2020!

Become... » An Educational Sponsor for the Driver Refresher Training Program with multiple supporting fee levels

available » A State Sponsor for the State of Tennessee for the Entry Level Driver Theory Training Program ~

$3,400.00 » A supporter of the development of a new training course. Each course costs $2,500 to create. There

are 17 new courses being developed this year in both ELDT Theory, Driver Refresher & Behind the Wheel Provider Training

» A sponsor for the development of a new Public Safety Announcement for TV and Social Media distribution. ~ $2000.00

» A supporter in a marketing program for the Entry Level Driver Theory Training Program budgeted at $50,000.00 for 2020

» A sponsor for the Fall Semi-Annual Meeting in Branson, MO ~$1000.00 Meeting Sponsor or ~ $500.00

for Our Networking Happy Hour Sponsor

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ISSUE 22...

Greetings!

There is no “i” in team and that certainly holds true here at TEAM Safe Trucking. I have many to thank for helping us move our ELDT Training Program forward. Here is some of the progress we’ve made with gaining sponsorships and strengthening our program. Thank you all for going above and beyond! You are the backbone of TEAM Safe Trucking!

David Livingston, of Mississippi Logger Association, has secured ELDT Training Program sponsorship in Mississippi! We are excited to know that progress is being made to secure our on-line training as a pre-requisite for starting the CDL Driver Training Program.

In the great state of Michigan, we are happy to share that the ELDT Training Program has been sponsored by Forest Insurance Center/Mauck Insurance Agency/Logger’s Insurance Agency. Michelle Sears, at the Michigan Association of Timbermen, has been instrumental in making members aware of the ELDT Training Program as well as making the program available at driver training schools.

Robert Kidd, Wood Procurement Manager at Huber Engineered Woods, LLC, may find support for the ELDT Program through some recently secured grant monies to benefit the Forestry Community.

I appreciate that Tracie Gibbs, Rayonier Safety Manager is having three CDL drivers review the content of the ELDT Training Program for consideration to offer the training in the multiple states Rayonier currently operates in.

Through the support of Becky Roe and Trena Kimer-Richard, Shasta College is considering both the ELDT Training Program and Driver Refresher Training Program.

There are many others who are working hard to keep our program strong, and I would also like to thank them for their continued efforts to make things happen in their respective states.

• Marie Price of Idaho Forest Group• Buck Vandersteen of Louisiana Forestry Association• Ewell Smith of Carolina Logger Association• Crad Jaynes of South Carolina Timber Producers • Ron Jenkins of Virginia Logger Association• Joel Moon of Alabama Forestry Association• Dave Duran of Texas Logging Council• Don Burr of the Professional Logging Contractors of

Maine• Mike St. Pierre of the Certified Logging

Professionals of Maine

I am grateful for the continued support from our forest products community. Recognizing that a strong forest transportation sector is the key to strengthening our entire forest products chain, brings all of us together to support one common cause. I cannot thank you all enough for your continued efforts. TEAM Safe Trucking truly is the example of a team that stretches beyond the men and women who haul our forest products!

Sincerely,Miranda Gowell

Miranda’s ELDT Training Update...

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TST Educational Sponsors

COVID-19 REMINDERS4

ISSUE 22...

Timber Producers Association,Bates Hewett Floyd Insurance,BB Forest Products, BeasleyForest Products, Beech IslandTimber and Construction, BITCO,Carolina Loggers Association,Coastal Pines, ColumbiaForest Products, Cunningham WoodProducts, Cushmans/238 West Inc.,Everest, FMIC Insurance Agency,Forest Insurance Center Agency,Forest Resource Consultants,Forest Resources Association,Forestry Industry Safety TrainingAlliance, Gaines and Critzer ltdInsurance Agency, GreenbayPackaging, Gun and Eleam Inc,Hancock Forest Management,

Paper, Jon Golly Inc, L.D. Long Inc,Ledkins Insurance Agency, LongleafForestry Insurance, Louisiana LoggerCouncil, Louisiana Pacic, MapleHardwoods, M.A. Ragoni Inc, McGillBrothers, Midstream Timber Solutions,Mississippi Logger Association,MW Collins Inc, NATP, NorboardNacogdoches Mill, NorbordJeerson Mill, Parnell Inc,Rayonier, South CarolinaTimber Producers Association,Southeastern Technical College,South Georgia Tech, TexasForestry Association, Tri-StateTimber Company, TrowelInsurance Agency, Texas LoggingCouncil, Walsh Timber Company,Ward Timber, Weyerhaeuser andWoodson Incorporated

Forest Insurance Center Agency, Forest Resource Consultants,Forest Resources Association,Forestry Industry Safety TrainingAlliance, Gaines and Critzer ltdInsurance Agency, GreenbayPackaging, Gun and Eleam Inc,Hancock Forest Management,Huber Engineered Woods, IdahoForest Group, InternationalPaper, Jon Golly Inc, L.D. Long Inc,Ledkins Insurance Agency, LongleafForestry Insurance, Louisiana LoggerCouncil, Louisiana Pacic, MapleAlabama Logger Council,All-state Land and Timber,American Logger Council,Anderson Logging, ArkansasHuber Engineered Woods, IdahoForest Group, International

Use radio/phone to communicate when possible

Contact facilites in advanceSet up appt. to unload Bathrooms may not be available

Go paperlessUse electronic invoicing Limit time outside cab

DRIVER REFRESHER TRAINING COURSES 2020 RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR EDUCATIONAL SPONSORS

January - Alcohol & Drugs Part 1 August - Multi-contractor & Liability February - Mill Safety Challenges September - Mill Genreal Safety March - Entering & Exiting October - Alcohol & Drugs Part 2 April - COVID-19/Driver Selection November - Accountability May - Woods’ Roads December - Fall Prevention June - How to Survive a D.O.T. Audit July - Loading & Unloading

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ISSUE 22...Five Steps to Developing an Effective Fleet Safety Program

Structure and accountability strengthens the safety of your fleet, which will also help to attract the best of the best and reduce turnover. Turnover for any size company is costly, so aim to keep good drivers by having systems in place that put safety and accountability first. The best accountability programs are the ones that the drivers are a part of helping to create. It has been proven that people will uphold a world that they help to create. So incorporating employees in the process of designing your Fleet Safety Program will help to make a stronger program overall.

ONEManagement Leadership and AdministrationCompany leadership should be behind the developed Fleet Safety Program and understand in order for it to be effective they not only should sign and endorse it, but uphold it. Maintain consistency in accountability in the areas of controlled substance abuse, seatbelt use, mobile communication controls and program accountability.

TWOOperational Equipment Put strict policies in place with regards to aggressive and fatigued driving. There should also be a requirement within the Forestry Transportation Industry of documented training with regards to vehicle cargo and securement. Include written agreements for employees who drive company, personal or non-owned vehicles for business.

THREEDriversThis section should cover all the areas concerning driver responsibilities. Detailed job descriptions allow employees to know what is expected of them. Keeping track of such things as driving records, eligibility, medical cards etc. Make sure how you review job applications and reference checks are noted for equal consideration and consistency.

FOURVehiclesObviously a huge part of any Fleet Safety Program is written inspection reports preventative maintenance. Documentation regarding the condition of your vehicles is key to safety, as well as protecting your company for the future should an accident occur. Written pre and post trip inspections for continuity, as well as what D.O.T. inspections consist of. Make sure to include an area dedicated to emergency equipment and it’s upkeep.

FIVEIncident Reporting & Analysis Members of your fleet need to know what to do should an incident, accident or near miss occurs. Discussing the near miss will lead to future changes in policy to help keep everyone safer. Knowing how to report near misses leads to creating a safer work environment for everyone.This is an important part of the Fleet Safety Program.

When designing your program remember to focus on these areas, driver selection, driver training, driver supervision, accident investigation, and compliance. Making this a priority will keep your company and drivers as safe as possible.

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ISSUE 22...

Stress is real, and can have a significant impact on your mind, body and work performance. Recognizing

the signs of stress when it’s impacting you personally can save lives on the road. In the upcoming issues of “Your Health Matters!” TEAM Safe Trucking will be offering a series on STRESS, and what you can do about recognizing and managing it.

From a work perspective stress can be short term, like dealing with difficult co-workers, a crazy boss or crew supervisor. Then there are the pressures of the job itself, number of loads expected, testy weather conditions, D.O.T. on the road, or just dealing with the multiple responsibilities of a Forestry Transportation professional. The stresses of the logging crew are your stresses too. Isn’t that what being part of at team is all about?

When the pressures of stress mount and become chronic, that’s when it can impact your health and well being. On top of all that,

you have the pressures brought on by the things that are happening around you, such as the pandemic, as well as the state of the country, not to mention your home life.

It’s quite shocking to realize that stress can play a major role in how one feels. You may not know that the stress of your job is actually raising your blood pressure. One crew supervisor was constantly asked by his healthcare provider why his blood pressure was elevated. He didn’t have an answer, that is, until he had stepped out of his role as supervisor. Upon returning to his doctor, his pressure had adjusted to a lower more acceptable rate. At that point it became clear that the subtle pressures of his role as boss man

was having a negative impact on his overall health. Stress impacts sleep, ability to focus, blood pressure, digestion, immune system and any other major system in your body, including your mind.

As a Forestry Transportation professional your mind and body serve as your tools for doing the best job you can on the road and on the landing. So it is extremely important to recognize the clues or symptoms, that serve as signals to alert you that stress may be impacting your health and well being. Hopefully this will prevent it from having an impact on your professional life, leading to safety issues on the road, and on the landing. This is when bad things can happen.

In our next installment “Stress on the Road” learn the major sources of stress for truck drivers. What to look for, and what you can do about it. Remember “Your Health Matters!”not just to your employer or general public, but to your loved ones as well! ~

Your Health Matters!

Ten Steps for Employers to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

1. Encourage drivers to stay home at ANY sign of sickness.

2. Keep a sick driver home until isolation criteria is met by

providers, state and local health departments.

3. Share awareness that older or compromised drivers are at a higher risk.

4. Minimize face to face contact.

5. Remind drivers to maintain 6ft of

distance with loggers or mill workers.

6. Don’t share PPE’s assign each driver with his or her own.

7. Provide alcohol based hand sanitizer at least 60% to be kept in cab.

8. Provide training as to how to sanitize.

9. Provide tissues and small trash cans in each truck cab.

10. Take additional precautions to address risks associated with ride-alongs such as a removable barrier between driver and passenger.