Canfor Takes Action To Improve Safety on Forestry Roads

Monday, December 05, 2005 04:00 AM

Canfor has hired former Prince George-area logging contractor Ray Bradner as "Road Safety Marshall" to oversee the company's network of roads in the area.

Last week, the Central Interior Logging Association issued a plea for swift action, after reports of unsafe driving practises on a forestry road near Vanderhoof. (see earlier story)

Bradner's key duties will include monitoring speed limits, how truckers go around corners and enter road junctions, along with checking radio use and vehicle identification plates. CILA says, if there is an immediate threat, Bradner will have the authority to order a driver off the road.

Non-compliance with that order, or any other infractions, will be reported to the appropriate contractor and the Contractor/Canfor Joint Safety Committee. The association says, depending how serious an incident is, Canfor, backed by the safety committee, could discipline a driver.

Part of Bradner's job will also be to act as an unbiased third party on road maintenance issues, take part in accident investigations, and participate in "TruckSafe BC" audits.

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Posted on Monday, December 05, 2005 04:00 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: who? on December 5 2005 7:05 AM

FSR's are public, what would empower the marshall to order anyone off the road? and radio controlled is the wrong term, radio assisted is more realistic.

Posted by: fedup on December 5 2005 4:29 PM

I hope he isn't on the quota system like the RCMP.Juuust kidding.I think if we are talking about road safty wouldn't it be better to have an unbiased view especially when it comes to road maintance.

Posted by: owl on December 6 2005 12:11 AM

There are contracts between a licensee and a transport contractor. If the contract identifies conditions with respect to safe operations then this is simply a monitoring of the conditions of the contract so that the contract is carried out properly by all parties.

If a contractor does not comply, the licensee has a right terminate the contract.

However, it is a two edged sword. The more the contractor is undr the gun for compliance, teh more the licensee is reuired ot ensure that the condition of operation (road conditions, hauling distances, etc) which are under the control of the licensee are poperly maintained and equitable. If there are joint safety meetings in place, such matters can usually be handled there. However, if the dispute goes to court, most hauling contractors probably do not have the same resources as the licensees have, so may not win, or even be able to take it to court.

So, it does not really matter whether these are private roads or forest service roads.

Posted by: Mike on December 6 2005 12:24 AM

What the hell is the reasoning here? Sounds like the Liberals are passing the buck again and putting the onus on Canfor to do WCB's job. Is this Bradner going to cruise ALL the forestry roads by himself?? Does anyone think for a minute a truck driver will stop if Bradner's out there with a red flashlight? Jeez! Why don't we get real and break the logging accidents down to where they actually occur. Queensway comes to mind. Fallers aren't in trucks and neither are skidder operators or buckers. Bradner was just given a great job here but there's nothing he can do. Who believes for one minute you're going to stop all deaths in this industry anyway? Now that freeze up is here we will be logging like never before. People die doing this type of work. Fishermen die doing what they do. Best advice I could give Bradner or anyone, would be 'stay off the FSR's--it's dangerous.'

Posted by: gypsy on December 6 2005 1:57 PM

Right on Mike!!!
Do you think they will pay attention??
Kind of a joke one guy covering forestry roads when they will be hauling thousands and thousands of loads this winter season.
Wonder where the poor guy will even start????