Projects and Grants per year
Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Abstract
Kentucky''s forest and wood industry is a 13 billion dollar economic sector providing
59,300 jobs. Kentucky is the leading producer of hardwood sawlogs, with annual harvests of
over 700 million board feet and 1.2 million tons of pulp wood. Timber harvesting activities are
conducted throughout the state, mainly by local ground-based equipment contractors. Timber
harvesting makes up two and a half percent (222 million dollars) of Kentucky''s forest sector''s
direct economic contribution. Logging is the first step in the supply chain, and the entire
industry collapses without it. In the United States of America, logging is the most dangerous
job, with a fatality rate of 135.9 for every 100,000 individuals, with transportation incidents
often occurring, which also combines with trucking, which is the 7th most dangerous job.
According to the latest statistics from the federal Department of Transportation, there were
1,324 incidents involving log trucks on highways between 2020 and 2023. Of those incidents,
278 resulted in fatalities, 789 resulted in injuries, and the remaining 257 were considered
property damage only. Statistics within the last ten years (2012 - 2022) show an average of 51
fatalities and 608 injuries annually. These incidents most often occur from illegal weight and
loads, traveling at rates of speeds above set speed limits, lack of inspections, and improper
maintenance of log truck vehicles (brakes, windshield wipers, tires, etc....). Commonly, most
traffic violations and casualties (direct and indirect) from log trucks are due to improper loading
regarding excessive weight (< 88,000) and log distribution, including improper tie-downs.
Collecting and analyzing data from timber harvesters improperly and adequately hauling loads
of timber on public roads is necessary. This data can then be used to develop an educational
program to inform timber harvesters/truckers of the economic and safety risks of improper
timber hauling. In this pilot study, we propose to use the Kentucky Master Logger (KML)
Program to collect data on timber harvesters/truckers who are directly hauling wood to and
from logging sites to assess if they are aware of and are compliant with laws regarding weight
and load distributions. Furthermore, we would also like to develop an educational module with
the KML program that explains the economic (and ethical benefits) of compliance with state
and federal laws on hauling timber. This pilot program will include an anonymous survey of
loggers/truckers through KML to assess their hauling practices, determine typical road
violations and assess their knowledge of loading and hauling best practices and regulations. In
addition to collecting data, our overarching goal is to use this data to develop programs within
KML to educate loggers on the economic loss and safety concerns associated with improper
timber hauling via log trucks. This proposed application offers the potential to reduce citations,
increase logger and civilian safety on highways, and provide potential life-saving education by
showing them the economic benefits of proper timber hauling. For demonstration purposes,
we plan to implement this pilot study within Kentucky but designed to be applicable and
expandable regionally or potentially nationwide through other states’ designated Master
Loggers Programs.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 7/1/19 → 6/30/24 |
Funding
- National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
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Projects
- 1 Active
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Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Centers (T42): Central Appalachian Regional Education Research Center
Sanderson, W. (PI), Agioutantis, Z. (CoI), Butler, K. (CoI), Christian, J. (CoI), Heebner, N. (CoI), Hoch, J. (CoI), Hoover, A. (CoI), Montross, M. (CoI), Prince, T. (CoI), Sampson, S. (CoI), Spengler, S. (CoI), Stanifer, S. (CoI), Uhl, T. (CoI), Vincent, S. (CoI), Winter, K. (CoI), Browning, S. (CoPI), Gribble, P. (CoPI), Sottile, J. (CoPI), Hahn, E. (Former CoPI), Mazur, J. (Former CoPI), Bazrgari, B. (Former CoI), Bunn, T. (Former CoI), Novak, T. (Former CoI), Oldham, C. (Former CoI) & Spengler, S. (Former CoI)
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
7/1/19 → 6/30/25
Project: Research project