Forums promote log truck driver safety

The Forest Industry Council (FIC) has embraced an initiative to promote log truck driver safety and is sponsoring three safety forums to be held at Tumut on 22 August, Tumbarumba on 23 August and Albury on 6 September.

All log truck drivers are strongly encouraged to attend one session. Drivers of other trucks are welcome by arrangement.

The forums are in response to a series of log truck incidents across the nation in the previous 12 months.

Forests NSW undertook to look at and report on the circumstances surrounding these log truck incidents in NSW and Andrew Nicholls, a forester and formerly a road manager and safety officer with Forests NSW, is coordinating and implementing the truck safety project and recommendations.

FIC chairman Malcolm Alexander said one of the key recommendations from the report was to evaluate education and awareness training.

"A way to improve safety in log truck operation is to remind our drivers of their obligation to be professional road users, continuously improving their skills and knowledge, and overall driving behaviour.

"A big part of the forum will be informing drivers of the margin for error and potential risks they need to be aware of in piloting heavy vehicles around our roads. This will help drivers make better decisions in the operation of their trucks," he said.

The forums will be conducted at the Tumut Bowling Club on Friday 22 August at 4 pm, Tumbarumba Golf Club on Saturday 23 August at 10 am, and at Norske Skog at Albury on Saturday 6 September at 10 am.

The forums run for two-and-a-half hours and are free.

Drivers and businesses should RSVP to Adam Farquharson on (02) 6981 4145 or adam.farquharson@sf.nsw.gov.au by Thursday 21 August.

For further information on the forums, contact Andrew Nicholls on (02) 6981 4102 or 0407 298 349.

Photo available from sarahc@sf.nsw.gov.au