FOREST HAULAGE SAFETY MANUALPublished by the FISA Forest Haulage Working Group

Version 3 January 2018

THINK SAFE.STAY SAFE.

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• Assess the risks

• Be prepared

• Pre-commencement meeting

• Get proper training

• Check your vehicle

• Plan your route

• Whatever the Weather

• Winter watch

• Summer sense

• Watch your speed

• Mobile Phones – Guidance

• Satellite Navigation Systems and Electronics

• Talk about it

• Be aware

• Understand forest operations

• Stay clear of power lines

• Load timber safely

• Secure your load

• Vehicle Breakdowns

• Do not attempt recovery

• See and be seen

• Unload timber safely

• Clean up

PLAN AHEAD

STAY SAFE IN THE FOREST

DELIVER SAFELY

SHIPPING

HEALTH

CODE OF CONDUCT

FURTHER READING

ABOUT FISA

CONTACT US 3

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WHATEVER THE WEATHERWho knows what’s round the corner when bad weather strikes.

Before you make your journey . . .

DO - Make sure the screen wash contains sufficient water and winter additive

DO - Check that all the lights are in full working order and clean

DO - Ensure screen and windows are all clear INSIDE and OUT.

WINTER WATCHAlways be prepared in case you get stuck.

DO - Keep a fully charged mobile phone

DO - Keep warm clothing and a blanket

DO - Carry a Hi-vis jacket

DO - Carry a working torch

DO - Carry a spade or shovel

DO - Know your route and ensure your mobile phone is working, although do not use it

whilst driving

DO - In severe weather always check with your supervisor before attending to your vehicle

and prior to making any delivery.

REMEMBER braking distances can be 10 times longer in bad weather – Keep your distance.

SUMMER SENSEAlways be prepared in case you get stuck.

DO - Drink plenty of fluids on a long journey

DO - Reduce speed if the sun is directly in front of you reducing your vision

DO - Wear sunglasses to reduce glare

DO - Be aware of increased agricultural traffic

DO - On open roads, ensure you have plenty of fresh air by opening a window

DON’T - Forget that excess heat can induce drowsiness.

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MOBILE PHONES – GUIDANCEUsing a mobile phone whilst driving (even with hands free or bluetooth) increases the risk of

having an accident. Ideally avoid their use entirely whilst driving (some members or sites

prohibit their use). If this is not the company policy, consider the following:

DO - Use hands-free phones to receive calls when travelling on the public highway where

permitted

DO - Keep any necessary conversations to a minimum and only continue them as long as it

remains safe

DO - Check that you are in an appropriate safe and secure area when using mobile phones

when out of the vehicle

DON’T - Use hand-held phones or other electronic devices whilst driving

DON’T - Use phones on customer sites unless the vehicle is stationary

DON’T - Use mobile phones or two way radios in an MPA member production

and loading areas.

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SATELLITE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONICSUsing a mobile phone whilst driving (even with hands free or bluetooth) increases the risk of

having an accident. Ideally avoid their use entirely whilst driving (some members or sites

prohibit their use). If this is not the company policy, consider the following:

DO - Program these before the journey begins

DO - Position them out of reach as they should not be physically adjusted during the journey

DON’T - Mute them as this might encourage you to take your eyes off the road ahead

DON’T - Allow the device to obscure your main line of sight.

DON’T - Set up any entertainment system e.g. a cd or iPod to the vehicles radio system

before you begin your journey

DON’T - Position them out of reach as they should not be adjusted during the journey

DON’T - Use ear pieces under any circumstances

DON’T - Allow the device to obscure your main line of sight.

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If you notice problems with the condition of a

forest road, contact your Forest Works

Manager asap, using a FISA Safe access

report or equivalent road defect report to

highlight and report the issue.

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VEHICLE BREAKDOWNSIf your vehicle breaks down, think first of other road users and...

DO - Exit vehicle cab on the non traffic side

DO - Get your vehicle safely off the road if possible

DO - Warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights if your vehicle is causing an

obstruction

DO - Stay in a safe location away from the vehicle if it is safe to do so

DO - Help other road users see you by ensuring you, and any passengers, wear high

visibility reflective clothing/work wear

DO - Put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken-

down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you

have them, if it is safe to do so. Always take great care when placing or retrieving them

DO - Keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor, if it is possible to do so

DO - Arrange recovery for vehicle specialists

DO - Keep your sidelights on when it is dark or visibility is poor.

DON’T - Attempt to use a warning triangle on a motorway or other high speed road

DON’T - Put yourself or your passengers in danger

DON’T - Stand (or let anybody else stand) between your vehicle and oncoming traffic

DON’T - Stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights at night

or in poor visibility.

DO NOT ATTEMPT RECOVERYIf a vehicle becomes stuck, tips or, worse still,

rolls over, it’s easy to think that things can’t get

any worse. That’s just not true. Too many drivers

are still being crushed or suffering serious

injuries while trying to recover a vehicle or repair

damaged equipment. Even inspecting the damage

can be extremely dangerous if the vehicle (or its

load) is unstable. Call for help or call a specialist

recovery firm but do not attempt recovery

yourself. Even if it causes a delay or extra

paperwork, it’s simply not worth the risk..

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SEE AND BE SEENProcessing sites are dangerous places, with lots going on and many distractions. You may have

left the harvesters and forwarders behind in the forest, but you will still need to be alert to

other heavy machines moving around, as well as other lorries, forklifts and pedestrians.

Do not enter a facility without permission from a site official and once inside use dipped

headlights and hazard warning lights. Keep to the site speed limit — or no more than 15mph if

it’s not specified — and look out for approved pedestrian crossing points.

You’ll become a pedestrian when you leave your cab, so make sure you’re wearing a hard hat,

high-vis jacket or vest and steel toe-capped boots. Keep to approved areas and don’t use your

mobile phone except in emergency — it’s the number one distraction for accidents.

Journey’s end... time to relax!

Don’t even think about it. Even if

ground and weather conditions

are usually better, unloading

roundwood can be just as challenging

as loading it. And there are additional

hazards to think about too.

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DELIVER SAFELY

Increasingly timber is being moved by sea, with timber deliveries interfacing with Ports for thestorage and handling of roundwood. The following (in addition to information in the previouspages in this guide) cover this activity.

All work must comply with the current Road Haulage of Round Timber Code of Practice,together with the current Safety in Docks L148 ACOP

YOU MUST ALWAYS• Only manoeuvre alongside the a materials handling machine or dock loader when

instructed to do so by operator.

• Unstrapping to take place prior to approaching the unloading position but within the workingarea.

• Stay inside the cab while dock loader is operational. Only leave the cab whilst the dockloader is not operational, or when you are outside the risk zone.

• Maintain stable stack heights and if timber is left on the pier it is to be profiled into a safestable stack.

• Sweeping of trailers must only be done when the vehicle has cleared the dock loader riskzone.

• Keep outside of the specified loader Risk Zones. NEVER approach working machines.

• Look out for other contractors, ships crews and members of the public.

• All persons including ships crews to gain attention before entering loading/risk zones

• Be aware of Port restrictions / hazards and follow any traffic management systems in place.

• Adhere to speed restrictions.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY INJURED PERSON OR LOG IN WATER:• Immediately inform the Harbour Master if any logs fall in the water.

• Know the location of emergency rescue equipment, life buoys and ladder; firefightingappliances and pollution spill kits that should be located on the Port map or have beenexplained at an induction.

• Have a first aid kit with you, be trained to use it.

• Have a spill kit to control pollution. Know how to use it.

DELIVER SAFELY

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AS AN HGV DRIVER, MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLECAN BE VERY CHALLENGING.Because of the nature of the job, HGV drivers can face an increased risk for health problems.

These health problems are frequently associated with a poor diet and a lack of exercise.

The tips within this section can be used by drivers and their families to develop smarter eating

and living habits for the road, at home, and anytime. Get on the road to a healthier lifestyle by

making these habits part of your daily routines.

Bad diet is often the biggest issue. It can be challenging to find affordable, healthy food while on

the road. But, with pre-planning and smart choices, you can still eat healthy without spending a

lot of money. If you have access to an in-truck fridge, stock food and snacks that are healthy for

you. Avoid chocolate bars and crisps. Instead, focus on foods that will keep you fuller longer, like

cheese, pretzels, popcorn, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Additionally, look for smart choices

when eating at fast food restaurants. Many restaurants now offer baked options, low-fat or low-

sodium alternatives, and fresh fruits and salads. Menus often have these options marked for

easy identification!

THESE SIMPLE 10 TASKS AND CHANGES WILL HELP YOUTO START A MORE HEALTHY TRUCKING LIFESTYLE!

HEALTH

1. Cut down on the alcohol.

2. Try some fruit or veg you havenever tasted before.

3. Get some more exercise, nexttime – make at least one journeyby foot or cycle instead of going bycar. Check out driver workoutsavailable online.

4. Practice safe sex.

5. Stressed ? – walk away from tensesituations before you blow up.

6. Find out the opening hours of yourlocal GP many have early or after hours appointments – go in an get a well man MOT, at theleast get your Blood pressure checked within the next 2 weeks.

7. Stop smoking

8. Show a doctor that lump, strange mole or rash that’s been worrying you.

9. Sore back ? Don’t muddle on, get it sorted.

10. Don’t ignore mental health – get decent sleep, talk to colleagues and family about issues,don’t hibernate in the cab – get some fresh air and clear your head every day.

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CODE OF CONDUCT

PROFESSIONAL DRIVER

I agree to adopt this code of conduct. I accept that as a professional driver I have responsibilitiesunder both chain of responsibility and Health and Safety (H&S) legislation to maintain myfitness for duty and not accept unsafe practices or breaches of the law. I share the road withother road users to improve community safety.

1. I recognise and accept my obligations as a professional driver.

DO - Ensure you conduct yourself in a polite and considerate manner at all times as an

ambassador for the industry and your company

DO - Ensure you drive with consideration for all road users and pedestrians.

DO - Support safety within the workplace

DO - Actively support this code and promote it to other drivers

DO - Encourage safety on the road

DO - Maintain your professional knowledge through Driver Certificate of Professional

Competence (DCPC) and recognised industry schemes.

2. I undertake to comply with all road laws, and be considerate of others by:

DO - Be professional at all times

DO - Ensure you’re fit for duty – alert, healthy and prepared for the driving task

DO - Observe speed limits and seat belt laws

DO - Observe working time regulations and ‘Rules on Driver’s Hours and Tachographs’

DO - Observe drug and alcohol laws

DO - Leave a safe distance between other vehicles

DO - Travel in left lanes unless overtaking

DO - Adopt a considerate driving style, reducing noise when operating in a built up area

DO - Obey all other laws and operate to ‘The Highway Code’.

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CODE OF CONDUCT

PROFESSIONAL DRIVER

3. I support the introduction of company ‘Safe Systems of Work’ that include practices and

procedures to reduce the risk of injury or death at our own and customer locations.

4. I take pride in my vehicle and conduct regular checks to ensure my vehicle and the load

remains in a safe condition.

5. I understand that driver distraction is a risk and I will reduce this:

DO - Avoid using mobile phones, two way radios or other forms of communication whilst the

vehicle is moving in accordance with company rules

DO - Fully prepare for any journey to avoid being distracted when driving.

6. I actively support this code of conduct for the purpose of promoting compliance with laws and

promoting safe behaviour, within the workplace and on the road.

7. I undertake to actively participate through my Health and Safety representatives and

managers to commit to industry codes of conduct, codes of practice and safety guidelines

found in this handbook.

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Driving at Work, HSE, INDG382, 2014http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg382.pdf

Electricity at Work: Forestry, FISA Guide 804, 2013http://www.ukfisa.com/assets/files/safetyLibrary/FISA%20804%20-%20Electricity.pdf

European Best Practice Guidelines on Cargo Securing for RoadTransport, European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy andTransporthttp://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/vehicles/doc/cargo_securing_guidelines_en.pdf

Guidance on Managing Health and Safety in Forestry,FISA, 2014http://www.ukfisa.com/assets/files/safetyLibrary/MHSF-2014.pdf

Haynes Men’s Manualwww.menshealthforum.org.uk

Safety of Loads on Vehicles, Third edition, Department forTransport, 2012http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120214192454/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafetysafetyloadsonvehicles.pdf

Road Haulage of Round Timber Code of Practice, 4th editionwww.timbertransportforum.org.uk

Reprinted in Jan 2018 with support from Volvo Truck and Bus UK

FURTHER READING

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