PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  The same company employed both the truck driver and skidder operator.  The driver had seven years’ experience driving a log truck, and the skidder operator had 26 years of logging experience.  Both employees had participated in ongoing safety training. 

UNSAFE ACT OR CONDITION:  After securing the load, the truck driver started back out the access road.  About midway, he noticed that the skidder was back-dragging the stone toward him.  The driver stopped approximately 60 feet from the skidder.  He blew his horn in an attempt to alert the skidder operator.  The skidder operator was unaware of the truck’s presence and continued spreading stone.  The driver blew his horn again, but the skidder operator did not hear the warning.  (The skidder operator was in an enclosed cab and was using hearing protection.)   

ACCIDENT:  The skidder collided with the truck.  The skidder operator stopped as soon as he felt the grapple hit the truck. 

INJURY:  Neither the driver nor the operator were injured.  There was no damage to the skidder, but the fiberglass hood on the truck was damaged beyond repair.  Damage costs were approximately $2,500.   

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTION:
• The skidder operator knew that the truck would be returning and should have been checking his backward path more frequently.
• The driver knew that the skidder was spreading stone, and he should have allowed a greater distance between his truck and the skidder. 
• Operators and drivers should use two-way radios for better communication.
• Communicating visually is also effective to verify the location of personnel and equipment. 

Reviewed by:
Rick Meyer
Appalachian/Southeastern Technical Division Forester
 

Please follow equipment manufacturers’ recommendations for safe operation and maintenance procedures.