Research taking load off minds for forestry truck drivers
Imagine climbing into the driver seat and immediately having 14 different technologies beeping, buzzing and flashing at you.
Then picture keeping the truck on track while responding to each dispatch, monitoring and management system, as up to 45 tonnes of timber sway behind you.
CQUniversity’s Appleton Institute is leading research to tackle safety risks of multiple ‘driver assist’ devices in forestry truck cabins in the $24 billion Australian forestry industry.
Funded by the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI), the project includes co-design with workers to improve safety processes for 80,000 people employed across the industry.
Frontline perspective
Earlier this month, Professor Anjum Naweed led a workshop in Mount Gambier in South Australia with leaders, safety specialists, technical experts and frontline workers across the forestry industry, supported by Adelaide University’s Forestry Centre of Excellence.
The safety systems and human factors expert said the workshop focused on the practical realities of using multiple in-cab systems, and how technology can support safety, reduce risk, and fit better with everyday work.
“Industry has identified the problem that multiple driver-assist technologies in log truck cabs creates, making driving unsafe,” Prof Naweed explained.
“The workshop was the culmination of more than 2 years’ worth of research involving incident analyses and conducting interviews and observations in the field.
“In this last phase, participants worked collaboratively across a whole morning to identify barriers, strengthen safety benefits, and co-design practical ways forward.
“By the end of the session, the group had produced 12 tangible action ideas, including steps focused on cab and equipment design, driver support, training and supervision, company systems, and shared industry learning.”
Safety always
The session also included a masterclass on managing fatigue, led by CQUniversity shiftwork and sleep expert Dr Cassie Hilditch.
The strong industry engagement will help inform the next stage of the project and support practical improvements in forestry transport safety.
The Mount Gambier NIFPI is jointly funded the Federal and South Australian Governments. Industry body Forest and Wood Products Australia also supported the project.
CQUniversity is one of six research facilities sharing more than $6 million of research funding through the Mount Gambier NIFPI, to support forest and wood products industries’ research and innovation capacity.
Appleton Institute is CQUniversity’s world-leading research hub for health and wellbeing at work, rest and play, learn more at the Appleton website.
