Partnerships in Forestry: Virginia Forestry Association

LESS MAY BE MORE!

Ron Jenkins, Executive Director, Virginia Loggers Association

You know situations when the expression “less may be more” – right? Here is one example found in research on smiles! The researchers found that a successful smile -- one that is rated effective, genuine, and pleasant -- may contradict the “more is always better” principle, as a bigger smile that shows more teeth may in fact be perceived less well. OK, I am not a smile expert! This idea is applied to an area we all are concerned about which is fewer eligible commercial drivers.

It seems reasonable that less eligible commercial log truck drivers could result in more accidents. I am not aware of actual research to verify this notion, but a logical argument can be made for the case.

Logging and hauling are essential to the forest products industry and the mills must keep up production to meet their customer demands and schedules. Forest harvesters are few but sufficient to harvest the raw forest materials.

Unfortunately, many logging firms have trucks sitting on the sidelines because of a shortage of qualified drivers. Owners are getting back in the truck to make up the slack but what does all this do for safety. Owners and drivers are bound to feel some level of pressure somewhere even with the most understanding of mill representatives. With the stress of making more loads each day, drivers may tend to speed a little, or not be as attentive to their personal safety. Less qualified commercial truck drivers may lead to more accidents!

According to sources who contributed to the “think tank” behind this article, we learned that “timber haulers and harvesters have been enduring this huge challenge of retaining and employing qualified, safe, professional commercial drivers for several years.” Our source offered up that the main reason behind this dilemma was “that current freight rates are not in line with the costs of wood hauling industry.” Makes sense to us and the adage once again applies “just follow the money. “

Forest harvesters cannot afford to pay commercial truck drivers the pay scales offered by the Walmart businesses of the world. Good truck drivers will follow a strict set of standards to make the best use of their time, be paid well, and remain safe throughout every road trip.

As an industry, we are very fortunate to have commercial log truck drivers loyal to their business and committed to the highest standards of safety. However, they are likely being tested every day with additional production demands. Designed by God to do the best they can, they may be tempted to do something a little less safe.

We need the mills to really look at this situation and especially at what they are contributing to the potential for less safe practices. Money can help solve a lot of the challenges. If our forest harvesters receive more money for the raw materials from our forests, they can pay more to their drivers and contract haulers. But everyone must be able to make enough money to be profitable – not just a continuous cycle of increasing a little to cover a single cost – but a margin that allows for profit and investment too!

If mills work with their essential forest harvesters and haulers, maybe we can return to “more is better”!