ForestWorks provides techniques for loading, driving and unloading log trucks.
This Australian publication has been compiled to include all activities associated with moving forest products from a landing to a wood yard. It is aimed at the operators of machines (loaders) and truck drivers, as well as the people responsible for planning and supervising haulage operations. The manual examines the roles of different categories of people, and identifies the high risk activities. It is divided into the following main sections:
- Workplace safety: This comprehensive section covers aspects such as responsibilities, risk management, common hazards, safe work areas, the operating limits of machines, personal protective equipment, communications, inductions, signage, safety documentation, emergency plans and procedures, and reporting.
- Heavy vehicle national law. Even though much of this is specifically applicable to Australian legislation, the parts on fatigue, load restraint and load restraint systems, friction, and tie-downs will be of interest to all transport operators.
- Loading trucks: Included here is identifying life threatening hazards, safe zones, risks of loading logs, landing conditions, placing the load on the truck, securing the load, and loading other forest products.
- Transporting logs: Load stability, truck rollover, and working with other trucks on forest roads are covered.
- Unloading trucks: This section makes provision for arriving at a site, safe work areas, unstrapping the load, machine assisted unstrapping procedures, and unloading and stacking.
- Other sections include caring for the environment, maintenance and inspection, mobile plant, record keeping and paperwork, running a business, relevant authorities and legislation, technical standards, a glossary, and emergency plans.