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SAFE Resource Road Light Truck Driver Training - RRD-03

This is a course covering the safe operation of light trucks and vans on resource roads in British Columbia. It  includes classroom presentations and discussions, field demonstrations, and an operational truck rodeo.

The content covers:

  • the characteristics of resource roads,

  • the handling and design characteristics of light trucks, and perhaps most importantly

  • what goes on in the driver’s head while driving.

The prime purpose of this course is to help the driver be fully responsible as a driver on resource roads. Responsible means:

  • possessing the proper operational skills;

  • understanding the driving duties; and

  • fully appreciating the situation and paying attention while driving in the resource road workplace.

The training is intended for both the experienced driver and the less experienced. In designing and delivering this course we strongly believe everybody has something to learn.

The student will be tested at the end of the course on the training materials covered as well as an evaluation score from the truck driving trial, although the driving portion is not intended as a test. Those who pass the course will receive a certificate of course completion.

The WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulations require employees receive training and demonstrate competency in operating mobile equipment.

A Certificate of Completion will be issued upon successful completion of the training.

Companies will have two options to get certified training for the Resource Road Light Truck drivers on their crews.

  • Train in-house trainers who will then be certified to train as many within their companies who will require the training. The training for these experienced supervisors will be 1 1/2 days so that they can learn the scripted content of the course, assure the lead trainer that they can safely operate a Light Truck on a Resource Road to the standard set by the course material, and that they can train others and evaluate them for Light Truck driving skills on Resource Roads and knowledge competency.

  • Receive 1 1/2 to 2 days training directly for those who will be driving Light Trucks on Resource Roads through a qualified outside WSCA Instructor using the WSCA developed material.

Course dates are typically developed based on demand. Courses will have from 6 to 8 students. It is helpful if at least half the class provide their own vehicles and some of them may be allowed to be used by other drivers. A minimum of 4 vehicles allows for a smooth flow of activities during the driving rodeo and demonstrations.

Refer to the Registrar page for course fees and application procedures.

Course RRD-03: SAFE Resource Road Light Truck Driver

Duration: 2 days

Course schedule: Since these are in-house courses, they can be delivered as required by companies as soon as they have in-house staff trained through the RRD-02 course.

Courses are available for companies without in-house trainers if there is sufficient demand for a class of at least 5. Course fees for those courses where the WSCA provides the instructor are based on course location in relation to available instructors. To locate an instructor near you contact the Registrar. You can view a list of instructors on the Instructors page.

The following is an overview of the RRD-03 course outline:

Lesson 1: Introduction to training

  • Describe the origin and purpose of the BC Forest Industry Health and Safety Accord.

  • Describe why resource road driver training is necessary.

  • Describe how this course was developed by the silviculture sector.

  • Describe the difference between worker training and worker orientation.

  • Discuss the limits and contradictions of driver training.

  • Support the overarching objectives of this course.

Lesson 2: Principal design characteristics of light trucks

  • Describe five key design characteristics of light trucks and vans that affect vehicle handling and safe operation.

  • Describe the centre of gravity of a light truck or van.

  • Explain the effect that loading a vehicle has on its centre of gravity. 

  • Identify the three axes of movement of a vehicle.

  • Explain why light trucks and vans have a propensity to roll-over.

  • Describe what is meant by ‘tripping’ a vehicle.

  • Define crashworthiness of a vehicle.

  • Adapt driving practices to the design capabilities and limitations of light trucks and vans.

 Lesson 3: Vehicle foot print

  • Describe the footprint of a vehicle.

  • Identify a vehicle’s GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).

  • Calculate a vehicle’s payload.

  • Compare a light truck’s height, weight and footprints to a passenger sedan’s.

  • Identify a typical light truck’s prime blind spots for traffic and workers.

  • Discuss the safety and legal implications of operating an overweight vehicle.

  • Consider the safety implications of crashes between light trucks and passenger sedans.

Lesson 4: Pre-trip inspection

  • Inspect tires for proper pressure and wear to determine they are fit for safe operation.

  • Check that motor and drive-train fluids are present for safe operation.

  • Identify signs of wear, or breakage, on frame, suspension, exhaust system and axles that will affect safe operation.

  • Carry out inspection of front end steering linkages critical to safe steering.

  • Conduct test of vehicle brakes and handbrakes for safe operation.

  • Test vehicle lights, wipers, turn signals.

  • Inspect battery, air filter and vehicle emergency equipment.

  • Recognize key dash gauge and light indicators.

  • Execute this pre-trip inspection in ten minutes using checklist.

Lesson 5: Tires and traction

  • Identify the appropriate general tire types for light truck operation on resource roads.

  • Identify the correct tire pressure for light truck operation.

  • Describe the general structure of a pneumatic tire.

  • Describe the importance of proper tire inflation.

  • Describe how pneumatic tire treads create traction.

  • Explain the basic physics of friction in terms of skid recovery.

  • Describe the tire contact patch.

  • Describe the basic dynamic functions of the tire contact patch.

  • Apply the dynamics of tire function to driving within the margin of safety on resource roads.

Lesson 6: Push-pull steering and braking

  • Execute push pull steering.

  • Execute a ‘panic brake’.

  • Explain the basic function and technique of ABS brake systems.

  • Describe standard brake system braking techniques.

  • Demonstrate on the road, the relation between distance travelled at various speeds and the duration of distraction.

  • Explain the importance of avoiding skidding.

  • Explain the relationship between braking distance (crashing force) and speed.

  • Adapt this lesson’s practical skills and knowledge into your resource road driving.

Lesson 7: Resource road design, use, rules and practices

  • Describe the general conditions and traffic pressure on resource roads in BC.

  • Describe the principal function and design characteristics of resources roads in the Province.

  • Assess how resource road design features, general conditions and traffic patterns affect resource road driving for light trucks.

  • Describe fifteen general rules of the road for safe resource road driving.

  • Describe general safe driving tactics and practices for safe resource road driving.

  • Operate truck radio using proposed radio protocols.

  • Integrate basic resource road knowledge and skills into safe resource road driving.

Lesson 8: Behavioural aspects: estimating risk

  • Describe the concepts of risk, hazard, exposure and consequence in relation to resource road driving and risk assessment.

  • Prepare a risk / consequence matrix.

  • Define risk homeostasis.

  • Describe the rewards of risk-taking.

  • Give examples of situations common to the silviculture workplace that provide incentives for breaking the rules.

  • Explain the human tendency to overestimate our abilities and how that affects driving.

  • Assimilate a better understanding of risk into resource road driving. 

Lesson 9: Cognition 

  • Describe the significance of attention and how it affects perception and performance while driving.

  •  Define inattentional blindness.

  •  Give examples of distractions typical of resource road driving.

  •  Explain the effects of fatigue and other forms of impairment on perception and performance while driving.

  •  Describe the cognitive loop that comprises the complex array of neural and motor functions that driving requires.

  • Discuss the cognitive role of experience in driver learning and performance.

 Lesson 10: Operational skills: truck rodeo

  •  Demonstrate safely changing a flat tire.

  • Complete the installation of chains on tires.

  •  Execute a pre-trip inspection of a trailer.

  •  Demonstrate safely attaching and detaching a trailer including the trailer brake system.

  •  Discuss how trailer loads and brakes affect vehicle handling.

  •  Execute a battery boost.

  •  Describe key elements of safe winching and towing practices.

  •  Define the basic light truck four-wheel drive systems and their general applications.

  •  Describe basic four-wheel driving techniques.

  •  Complete with confidence backing a vehicle using side view mirrors.

  •  Complete with confidence backing a vehicle and trailer.

  •  Complete basic driving manoeuvres including three point turn around, positioning truck and using guidance.

  •  Discuss various strategies to maintain and regain control of vehicles.

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WSCA - British Columbia, Canada