A HAULAGE driver had a lucky escape when a stack of timber became unstable and collapsed while it was being uplifted. 

The three-metre pile of chipwood fell away from the lorry and back into the harvested area. 

No one was hurt in the incident, but forestry officials have released limited details to "highlight the need to stack in a safe a stable manner". 

According to a safety bulletin, the logs were stacked on the inside of a 90° corner, over stumps and soft, uneven ground, and approximately four-metres-high at the time. 

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Due to the change of adjacent road angle, and the ground conditions across this short section, the operator had difficulties in setting in, and bracing enough supporting timbers to support the stack.

The timber stack had become unstable and began to sink and lean at the back end over the preceding weekend.

The forestry works manager (FWM) and the haulier became aware of the instability, but as the lean was away from the forest road, it was adjudged that there was no risk to the haulier, from any potential collapse.

The haulier was attempting to load from the stack to reduce its height, to allow it to then be re-stabilised, when it collapsed.

The forwarder operator was able to safely restack the timber on a more secure supporting log foundation.

Operators are reminded to read FISA's guidance on forwarder extraction.