Log truck fatality inquiry too slow: industry

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — A British Columbia Coroner’s Service report suggests fatigue, prescription drug use, excessive speed, were all factors the death of a log hauler in the province’s Northern Interior.

Coroner Ann Smith also said the fact Loraine Conboy was not wearing her seatbelt in the truck at the time of the accident contributed to the fatality, Canadian Press reports.

log hauling in B.C.’s Northern Interior
can sometimes be a dangerous duty

The investigation into the death of Conboy, who lost control of her loaded logging truck and crashed it into a ditch lost on Nov. 22, 2004, has taken almost two years to complete.

Trucking officials in the region told CP the time to finish the report is unacceptable.

Central Interior Logging Association manager Roy Nagel said more timely investigations can help industry focus on particular safety issues like seat belt use and intoxication.

Nagel said basic information on log-truck crashes should be released immediately.

The coroner’s inquiry states that about 300 pills — later identified as Tylenol 3s with codeine — were found in a small plastic bag on the seat in the cab, CP reports. Blood tests revealed a high level of codeine.

The investigation also determined that Conboy had been fatigued prior to the crash. She had been working up to 14-hour days, which falls within the 15-hour daily limit log truckers can operate in Northern B.C.

Some groups, like the United Steelworkers union and the Prince George Truckers Association want the allowable behind-the-wheel hours reduced to 12, with caps on weekly hours as well.

The union also says drivers should have at least 12 hours off between shifts, and night shifts should be reduced to 10 hours.

— with files from Canadian Press