The BC Forest Safety Council's Resource Road Driver Training program offers two course options that train participants through a combined 2-3 hours of classroom studies, and 7-14 hours of hands-on driving experience.
This course was developed in partnership with the Western Forestry Contractors’ Association, to teach the safe operation of light to medium duty vehicles on public roads and more specifically on resource roads in British Columbia. Participants who successfully complete the training receive a BCFSC certificate of completion.
Sessions are delivered by training provider Tirion Safety Ltd. Their core group of eighteen trainers collectively bring more than 100 years of instructional experience in a large variety of automotive, vehicle recovery, search and rescue, swift-water rescue, rope rescue, ocean and other professional instruction.
The first day is focused on vehicle dynamics, including exercises to learn advanced driving manoeuvres. This training develops abilities to deal with emergency lane changes, emergency braking and accident avoidance, distractions and on day two can include trailering skills, vehicle recovery, driving on more challenging terrain, loading and unloading ATV's or UTV's and winter driving skills.
The driving portion covers highway, gravel and resource road surfaces. Participants leave the course understanding how the construction and signage of a forest service road differs from public roads, and how the varied surfaces impact vehicle stability and control. This enables them to make better decisions to keep both driver and passengers safer in the vehicle.
Each course is tailored slightly to address the requirements of individual companies and the different concerns they may have.
This course trains new employees (and veterans of the road) to become comfortable and aware of driving in different environments, and in larger vehicles than they may be used to.
Driving is a perishable skill and many people can become complacent with how to handle a vehicle over time. Driving may have a lower probability of accidents compared to some forest activities; however the consequences can be severe.
Driver training is one of the most important but often overlooked aspects of staff training that should be incorporated into your safety culture.
Comments from a session in April 2019:
“Driving and using ABS really hit home for me.”
“Thank you very much. This course will help with my job and safety”
One of the participants rated the activities as excellent and indicated how they appreciate ‘hands on’ training instead of learning about it in theory in a classroom setting.
Article original publication
BC Forest Safety Council, Forest Safety News, August 20219 (edited to update with current terminology).