The road freight transport industry exposes truck drivers to a wide variety of hazards and risks. One of the ways to help minimise these risks is to undertake regular truck maintenance.
In 2013 to ensure the safety of logging trucks WorkSafe Tasmania partnered with the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources to undertake regular state-wide compliance inspections and random inspections to target log trucks at loading and unloading areas.
Inspectors coordinated and led the inspection program which saw 50 log trucks inspected. During these inspections 34 defects were identified, including:
| 2013 Log Truck Defects Detected | Number |
|---|---|
| defective personal protective equipment | 10 trucks |
| expired items in first aid kits | 7 trucks |
| logs located above the top of truck stanchions or cab guard | 6 trucks |
| defective load binders | 5 trucks |
| Outside logs with less than 300 mm past stanchions | 4 trucks |
| loose items inside of cabin | 3 trucks |
| no first aid kit | 3 trucks |
| defective cab guard | 2 trucks |
| load binders not secured to bolsters | 2 trucks |
| driver not wearing seat belt | 1 truck |
| defective brakes | 1 truck |
| no restraining bolt in bolster pin | 1 truck |
As part of this program inspectors also issued a number of improvement notices and prohibition notices to address the defects identified.
This inspection program will continue to help improve safety outcomes in the road transport industry with four regional inspection days scheduled for 2013-14.
More information
For more information on WorkSafe Tasmania’s logging truck inspection program visit the WorkSafe Tasmania website.