If you are operating a commercial vehicle rated at over 5000kgs GVW, including pickups, you are now required to keep a daily log book, not exceed a 14 hour work day, which includes driving and other work, and report to weigh scales.
TruckSafe Logbook Template.doc
Both RCMP and the province’s Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) inspectors will be enforcing the regulations which have been in effect federally since 1 January 2007. The province has adopted the new requirements effective 1 March 2007. The commercial vehicle designation applies to silviculture operations trucks over 5000kgs GVW transporting trees, equipment and people.
The BC Forest Safety Council Forestry TruckSafe website www.bcforestsafe.org/trucksafe has a log book template available for downloading. It is intended for logging truck operation but can be adapted for silviculture driving. We understand that CVSE plans to use soft enforcement initially for these requirements which may mean written warnings. That policy will expire by the end of June. The RCMP are already writing tickets; mostly advisory, unless their is a gross violation.
With government and industry realizing these requirements may not be practical and may pose a burden on some operators there are ongoing talks to have the rules only apply to vehicles over 11,800kgs GVW. But if the present requirements are rescinded that won’t happen for some time. In the meantime act accordingly.
John Betts
Executive Director
Western Silvicultural Contractors’ Association
Phone: 250-229-4380
hotpulp@netidea.com
Web Link: http://www.bcforestsafe.org/program-trucksafe-index.htm