DRIVER INJURED WHEN TRUCK OVERTURNS ON SNOWY ROAD

Oct. 2002
02-S-18

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BACKGROUND: A trucker was hauling treelength softwood approximately nine miles in from paved road on a company logging road in northern New England. It was about 9:00 AM on a clear but cold day in late January.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: The driver had at least 20 years of experience. It is unknown whether he had any first aid safety training or specialized driver's training beyond the legal minimum. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time.

UNSAFE ACT OR CONDITIONS: Nearly six inches of snow had fallen the night before, and the road had not been plowed. Although speed was not considered a factor, the trucker was driving without chains on his tires, which would have provided added traction.

ACCIDENT: As the trucker entered the turn he lost traction and became stuck. In an attempt to free his truck, he slid off the road and into the ditch, causing the load to overturn.

INJURIES: The driver suffered a severely lacerated ear, a head wound, and several broken ribs. He was treated at the local hospital, admitted for observation, and released the following day. He lost two weeks of work due to his injuries. A fuel oil spill also occurred.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTION:

1) Wear your seatbelt at all times -- both on and off woods roads.
2) Utilize tire chains when driving on snow- or ice-covered woods roads.
3) Slow your driving speed on snowy roads, especially while making turns.
4) Landowners should periodically assess all sharp turns on woods roads that are prone to accidents and close calls and consider alterations to provide for safer travel.
5) Company foresters and independent contractors should take inventory of first aid kits and emergency flares to ensure that they are properly stocked for such accidents.
6) An emergency spill kit (gloves, absorbent pads, bucket, etc.) could have helped those who arrived on the scene deal more expediently with the oil spill. (See FRA's video "Hazardous Chemical Spill Prevention and Control for Logging Operations" (01-A-11), available from the FRA National Office @ $50 for FRA members, for an orientation and recommendations.)

Forest Resources Association Inc.
600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 350, Rockville, Maryland 20852
Phone: (301) 838-9385     Fax: (301) 838-9481