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
[email protected] www.bcforestsafe.org
“unsafe is unacceptable”
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