Heavy-duty equipment has a risk that is inherent with its usage. Under normal operation, hazards could range from a simple injury to a deadly vehicular accident. Although not all accidents can be prevented, the hazards that could cause an accident can be limited or confined to a minimum.

Driving a forestry bucket truck can be a hazardous activity. With this in mind, truck drivers must be dedicated to maintaining safe driving habits throughout the entire operation and being proactive is the key to such safety.

Proactive

Some may wonder what it means to be proactive. A pure definition of the word means tending to initiate change rather than reacting to events. It indicates that an individual is personally motivated to be responsible for personal safety and will attempt to control an anticipated negative event. Proactive truck drivers are value driven, which means they are always thinking ahead about producing exceptional workmanship. Generally, this kind of attitude has a great impact on the productivity level of a company. Being pro-active, rather than re-active, is a good technique to prevent downtime in the work area and avoid unnecessary accidents.

Basic Knowledge

Knowledge is a key element in avoiding disastrous accidents. Without proper information, operators could neglect the importance of safety when dealing with these heavy-duty trucks. Forest fires are one example of a harmful and destructive incident related to forestry trucks since most wildfires are caused by human error. If drivers lack the proper knowledge about fire safety, a devastating wildfire could happen. A proactive operator should know about wildfire prevention as well as vehicle, company, government, and fire extinguisher guidelines. Knowledge in all of these areas is imperative in limiting hazards associated with the use of a forestry bucket truck.

Machine Inspection

Another essential proactive approach is to conduct regular vehicle inspections. Forestry equipment that is utilized in felling, de-limbing, picking, and hauling should be checked daily for dry leaves, twigs, pine needles, branches, and other debris which could increase the risk of igniting fires when not removed from hot engine surfaces. The inspection, cleaning, and removal of debris accumulation are proactive ways to prevent forest fires caused by a vehicle.

Planning Ahead

To be proactive means taking control of circumstances that could jeopardize individual safety and welfare. It involves thorough planning in order to put everything in proper perspective. Prior planning should be covered with drivers regarding what to do in the event of a break down, as components tend to wear down and break.

Preventive Maintenance

A proactive approach should be taken towards regular maintenance. All components of forestry machines should be thoroughly inspected and if problems are detected, they should be repaired or replaced before more serious damage occurs.

Safety when using a forestry bucket truck is important as it could affect many lives. Sometimes safety is neglected when forestry trucks are used to cut or trim tree branches or to move logs from the forest to their final destination. Such action can be prevented by: having basic knowledge of various safety guidelines; performing thorough inspections of the vehicle; using good planning skills; and ensuring adequate preventive maintenance. So, be safe and be proactive!