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Turning over a new leaf
Page 40
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Transporting timber can be a risky business. To ensure safe
operations the Irish forestry industry has introduced a new code of practice. Grainne Rothe!), reports.
Anew code of practice for the safe haulage of round timber in Ireland was launched at the beginning of November. As well as legislative requirements it includes 'good practice' guidelines for loading and unloading vehicles, as well as for transporting timber.
The code was developed over four years by the Irish Forest Industry Chain (TIC) in consultation with the Forest Industry Transport Group (FITG), which represents organisations covering all aspects of the industry These include Coillte, COFORD, the Irish Forest Contractors' Association, the Irish Farmers' Association and the IrishTimber Council.
IFIC chairman George McCarthy says the code demonstrates to the public and local authorities the responsible nature of the Irish forest industry. As one of the more visible forestry operations the road haulage of round timber has come under increasing scrutiny. Key factors in the new code are the safety of operators and the general public, as well as the need to limit damage to roads.
Henry Phillips, technical consultant for IFIC and an author of the document, says it demonstrates the ability of different parts of the industry to come together and reach agreement on the relevant issues. "The fact that they've come together is very positive for the future," he points out.
Fion Russell, secretary of the FITG, welcomes the code, which he describes as a point of reference for everyone involved in the industry. He believes the industry has taken responsibility for its own actions before any measures were imposed on it.
"It was important for us to show the local authorities and the public generally that the forest industry is responsible in how it is dealing with haulage," he explains. "It's positive all round and everybody has endorsed it."
Coillte, Ireland's state-owned forestry company, says it is delighted with the new code of practice, which it describes as a" very positive step forward in the issue of road haulage for forest timber". •