Dry Weather Can Create Additional Forest Haul Route Hazards
We haven’t quite reached summer yet but, already, hauliers in some areas of the country have experienced deteriorating forest haul road surface conditions and increased dust levels due to the lack of rain.
These conditions present two significant safety concerns:
- Road Surface Degradation: Loose stone and reduced traction occurring on forest haul routes, creating potential driving hazards and vehicle control issues. Sharp stone rising to the surface, on some tracks additional bedding type 1 may be needed to adjust this.
- Elevated Dust Levels: Increased airborne dust posing visibility and respiratory risks to all forest road users and neighbouring residential properties.
Required Actions:
- Document hazardous road conditions using the FISA Safe Access Report system. Use this system to highlight routes/roads on which the stone has become loose/spinning out and/or has high dust levels due to the dry weather.
- Discuss your concerns with the Forest Works Manager (FWM).
- Further reduce your speed, well in advance, when approaching other workers, the public, or residential areas.
- Remember to keep vehicle windows closed when operating air conditioning/filtration systems to ensure their effectiveness.
These dry conditions can affect the safety and comfort for both workers and the public. Remember to maintain heightened awareness of the condition of the forest haul routes in dry weather, and adjust your driving behaviour accordingly until conditions improve.