The Alabama Forestry Association (AFA) and the Alabama Loggers Council (ALC) recently initiated a log truck safety campaign aimed at eliminating log truck accidents. The program, “Logging Zero Accidents,” began with a series of truck driver safety days at each of Alabama’s pulp and paper mills across the state.
“Truck Driver Safety Days” have recently been conducted at International Paper (Pine Hill), MeadWestvaco, RockTenn (Demopolis), Georgia-Pacific (Naheola), Alabama River Cellulose, and Boise. Over 470 log truck drivers have voluntarily participated in the event that included a free lunch and a packet of safety materials emphasizing driver responsibility to reduce speed and conduct daily inspections of their trucks and trailers.
Alabama’s timber haulers have an outstanding safety record. Accident statistics compiled over the last two years indicate that log trucks are involved in less than one percent of the state’s vehicle accidents. This is a remarkable statistic considering the total number of loads of timber that are hauled over the roads each day as a part of the state’s top industry. Even so, the AFA and ALC are determined to reduce the rate even more.
“Safety is one of our top priorities,” said ALC Director Ray Clifton. “Our goal is to educate our members and the general public that we will operate in a safe and responsible manner. Not only is safe driving good business, but it is of upmost importance to our families and friends. Our goal is to be accident-free.”
Future “Truck Safety Days” are scheduled at five mills across central and north Alabama over the next three weeks.
For more information, contact Ray Clifton at the Alabama Forestry Association at 334- 481-2130 or email rclifton@alaforestry.org.