On April 10th, 2023, the Tennessee State Senate adopted an amendment to HB0616, which updates safety requirements for a (1) motor vehicle or trailer (2) transporting a load of logs or pulpwood (3) that protrudes at least four feet beyond the end of the vehicle or trailer, to attach both flags and lights for the safety of surrounding drivers.

With safety being a top concern for the Tennessee Forestry Association and Tennessee Master Loggers, we support these steps taken to make Tennessee highways and roads safe for drivers.

Effective October 1st, 2023, the most recent amendment to this bill introduces updated requirements. The following must be securely affixed to the end of the projecting load while the vehicle or trailer is loaded with the protruding logs or pulpwood:

• (1) One amber strobe-type lamp or amber blinking light, or one amber LED strobe light or amber LED blinking light, which must be operating while affixed to the load; and

• (2) At least two red flags or at least two fluorescent orange flags, which must be in good condition and visible while affixed to the load.

In collaboration with TFA, the TN Department of Agriculture has a Safety Reimbursement Program that allows you to receive up to 75% reimbursement on qualifying safety equipment purchases. Learn how you can be reimbursed here.

Additionally, Tennessee Forestry Association is working with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to install signs promoting safety on Cagle Mountain in Sequatchie County, with the intent of seeking out different counties in the state that would benefit from these signs moving forward.

TFA is proud to support safety in our industry and looks forward to partnering with forest industry employers to implement these updated safety requirements in a cost-effective way.