Public Awareness of Safety in the Forest

Transcription

1 Safety and Assurance Bulletin INSIST ON SAFETY June 2018 Public Awareness of Safety in the Forest We committed to give you regular updates on Tilhill Forestry s project on public awareness of safety in the forest. n The project team have been looking outside the forest industry in order to help establish some best practice guidelines. Part of this included a visit to Cliffe Quarry in Kent to see our friend and ex-colleague Chris Pike. Chris is now the Group Head of Health & Safety for Brett Group who own and run the quarry at the site in Cliffe. The site is very unusual as it has part of the Saxon Shore Way running through it and also a Norman Fort that attracts many visitors. The project team discussed how to communicate with members of the public regarding the dangers of the quarry and also different options to secure the site. The team also learned about the initiatives run by the Mineral Products Association (MPA) with regards to public awareness. Those initiatives include local school visits and also an interactive game where you can build and run your own quarry. The project team are now considering how some of the MPA initiatives and Brett control measures can be applied and implemented to our industry. In addition to the quarry visit the project team has also developed new signage and documents to communicate to members of the public. These will be on display at our Insist on Safety events so come along and speak to us about our Above: An example of the safety signage used at the quarry. project, have a look at the changes we have made and give us your opinions. As a result of this project, guidance has been published on enjoying forests safely within the Walkhighlands website: We are now hoping to populate guidance on other websites that cover England and Wales. CONTENTS Above: Teams from Tilhill Forestry and Brett Aggregates at Cliffe Quarry Keep it Clean Hotter Weather = Higher Risk of Fire Lyme Disease A Forester s Journey In the News Elsewhere.....6

2 Keep it Clean Forestry Commission Scotland have advised the industry of initial signs of a potential surge of Phytophthora ramorum in Larch this spring. n This follows ground observations of partially flushed trees in the south west of Scotland by FCS and FES staff and a subsequent preliminary aerial survey around the boundary of the Management Zone. Initial observations suggest potentially greater disease expansion (compared to recent years) within certain areas. Symptoms range from single dead tops to larger groups of trees, thus indicating a degree of progression not seen in the last 3-4 years (where, typically, infection was confined to either individual trees or to very small, discrete groups of trees). Although the extent and severity of symptomatic larch is significantly greater than seen over the past few years, it is not yet at the level seen during the major outbreak in 2012/13. However, as the larch has only partially flushed, the extent and intensity of P. ramorum infection is currently difficult to fully assess. Based on these initial observations, it seems possible that the wetter than average weather conditions experienced during the last main sporulation period (August/September 2017), coupled with high inoculum levels in the Management Zone, may result in an increase in disease incidence during probable, FCS will implement a contingency plan and the Scottish Chief Plant Health Officer will delegate a lead person to oversee and coordinate actions, including close liaison with the forestry sector. What about Sitka? In terms of the disease and Sitka spruce, two infected sites were identified earlier this year. Further ground surveys of these trees and the area have been undertaken and these have revealed eight additional infected sites with results awaited from a further 24 samples. All the infections appear to be associated with other damage (e.g. frost) and the extent of damage on the individual trees appears to be very limited when compared to that seen on larch. Remember: Pests and disease can spread rapidly and one of the ways that they can arrive in a healthy forest is to be carried there in the mud and forest debris that gets stuck on people s boots and car or bicycle tyres, or even on dog s paws and horse s hooves. Practise good biosecurity at all times. It is one of the key aspects of preventing the spread of tree diseases: Every forest visit you make ensure you arrive with: Clean boots Clean tyres (car and bike) Clean dog s paws No significant impacts were observed on the Sitka spruce during the recent preliminary aerial surveillance. Current evidence therefore continues to suggest that such infections will have minimal impact. The early-season national tree health surveillance programme is being undertaken which, in June, should give a clearer indication of whether what has already been observed signifies a trend. If a repeat of the large-scale outbreak of 2012/13 appears to be For further information visit: 2 SAFETY & ASSURANCE BULLETIN

3 Hotter Weather = Higher Risk of Fire As the ground warms up and the sun is drying off the vegetation there is a greater risk of fire at our worksites. n Forest fires can often be initiated by forestry machinery catching fire as a result of the belly pans being full of dried forest residue or from oil leaks. Ask your Forestry/Harvesting Manager for a copy of the Tilhill Forestry Fire Guidance Booklet. GN/51 The following website also give guidance on preventing wild fires: Above: A burnt out forest machine. Above: An example as to how dry forest residues can build up inside machine engine bays. Remember: Keep the belly pans cleared out on a regular basis. Check hoses, connectors etc have been refitted after servicing/ maintenance. Check your fire suppressant system and fire extinguishers are fully serviceable. Your insurance company could refuse to pay if you are unable to demonstrate routine maintenance in line with manufacturer s instructions. Make sure that you have a fully serviced fire extinguisher available in the cab where you have to pass the engine unit to exit the cab. THINK ENVIRONMENT YEARS TO CREATE, SECONDS TO DESTROY. SAFETY & ASSURANCE BULLETIN 3

4 Lyme Disease A Forester s Journey This is the story of one man s journey from tick bite to Lyme disease diagnosis. You may think that there is nothing unusual in this story within our industry but this story takes place over a period of 32 months, not just a few weeks. n In June 2015 Steve, a Senior Forest Manager with over 20 years experience in the industry, carried out site visits in West Highland. During one of these visits he received a tick bite but thought nothing of it at the time. He removed the tick and felt fine. Four weeks later he returned home following further site visits and carried out a tick check. He did not find any ticks at that time but the following day discovered a tick biting him behind his right knee. By then, Steve had begun to feel unwell he had a headache, felt nauseous and had painful joints. As it happened to be a Saturday he could not get to see his doctor. However, after deteriorating over that weekend and adding swollen glands and groin pain to his symptoms, Steve visited his GP where blood was taken and antibiotics prescribed. Steve felt better when taking his antibiotics but once the course was complete he started to feel unwell again. Steve was then called back for his results and was told that he had tested negative for Lyme disease. He reported that he still felt unwell and a second set of blood tests were taken. This second set also came back as negative for Lyme disease. Over the next 14 months Steve s health deteriorated. Although some days were better than others he started experiencing heart palpitations, chest pain, breathlessness as well as the continuing joint pain, headaches and nausea. A man who was once active, at one time a powerlifter and who is also a volunteer for the Coastguard, started to lose his strength and stamina. It is worth noting at this point that Steve did not have the classic target rash. This and any other type of rash associated with Lyme disease only occurs in one third of patients. In November 2017 Steve went to his GP s complaining of chest pains. An ECG was carried out and his blood pressure was taken. His blood pressure was found to be very high and bloods were taken to check his liver and kidney function. Blood pressure tablets were prescribed but in the end these made Steve more unwell and the dosage had to be cut. In January 2018 Steve, made contact with a private medical company through The Academy of Nutritional Medicine. Steve sent blood samples to a laboratory in Germany and in February 2018 received the results. The results were not a surprise to Steve. The stated Your lab results indicate chronic active infection with borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme Disease had finally been confirmed. So what s next for Steve? Steve will continue to take blood pressure tablets and monitor his blood pressure twice a day. His GP has referred him to a specialist in infectious disease. He also faces the possibility of 3 6 weeks in hospital in order to receive intravenous antibiotics and to possibly have an operation to remove fluid from around his heart. Tilhill Forestry are taking the matter very seriously and intend to raise awareness in the industry using a variety of mechanisms. There will be articles in the Tilhill Safety & Assurance Bulletin reminding people when the tick season is upon us and also what control measures are available. Tick twisters are available at all Tilhill offices and will be handed continued 4 SAFETY & ASSURANCE BULLETIN

5 Lyme Disease A Forester s Journey continued out to all Tilhill employees and contractors. Further guidance notes and Toolbox Talks will be issued during the peak season to further remind people to be aware. The moral of this story So why are we telling you this story? Steve would like his story in the public domain as he has suffered for over 2 years and continues to suffer. If you have been bitten by a tick and think you might have the symptoms of Lyme disease see your GP. If, like Steve, you have had blood test results that have come back negative and you still have the symptoms of Lyme disease go back to your GP and tell Steve s story. If you would like more information on Steve s story and his diagnosis contact him by at steve.miller@tilhill.com Remember: Lyme Disease Common Symptoms Flu like symptoms including tiredness, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, fever, chills and neck stiffness. Pain and swelling in the joints. Problems affecting the nervous system such as numbness and pain in your limbs, paralysis of facial muscles, memory problems and difficulty concentrating. Heart problems such as myocarditis, pericarditis, heart block and heart failure. Meningitis can cause severe headaches, stiff neck and increased sensitivity to light. Rash may be a target rash or red rash away from the site of the tick bite. SAFETY & ASSURANCE BULLETIN 5

6 In The News Elsewhere Machine Maintenance n News releases from the HSE this month detail two serious accidents relating to machinery maintenance: The first accident was a ground works contractor who was trapped by a runaway dumper on a construction site and suffered life changing injuries. The resulting HSE investigation found that a faulty handbrake had been a significant factor in the accident and the employer had failed to ensure that routine maintenance of the dumper had been undertaken and had failed to regularly inspect and maintain the handbrake of the dumper to ensure it remained effective. The second HSE report was of a maintenance fitter who suffered fatal injuries from a conveyor which started moving whilst he was undertaking routine maintenance. The machine hadn t been isolated before he started work. The HSE investigation into the incident found the company had not implemented procedures to ensure machinery was isolated before starting maintenance work. The Court heard that the maintenance task was authorised by the employee s supervisor but the required control measures were not checked before work started as the procedure required. Learning Points: 1. Make sure machines are in a position of safety and the mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems are de-energised before the guards are removed. 2. Routine maintenance and repairs should be planned and risk assessed with the correct PPE used. 3. Check with operators on site that they have and are using the right gloves during maintenance and repairs. INSIST ON SAFETY EVENTS 4 June Ladybower Reservoir, Derbyshire 7 June Shere, near Surrey 14 June Longridge Fell 15 June Jerah 19 June Cefn Llwyd, Nr Bala 6 SAFETY & ASSURANCE BULLETIN

7 June 2018 Safety & Assurance Bulletin briefing I have been personally briefed in the contents of this Safety & Assurance Bulletin. Please add any questions relating to this briefing or any other health, safety and environmental matters you wish to raise: Please add any suggestions on health, safety and environmental matters: I have been briefed by: My District is: I understand that I am encouraged to submit comment and contribution from this bulletin. ORIGINAL sheet to be held at District. Send a COPY to: Head of Safety, Tilhill Forestry, Kings Park House, Laurelhill, Stirling, FK7 9NS. Fax: ios@tilhill.com Contractors: If you would like your own copy of this Safety & Assurance Bulletin please contact your local office and ask to be included on the mailing list. SAFETY & ASSURANCE BULLETIN 7