Occupational safety and health in forest harvesting and silviculture

Garland, J.; Cedergren, J.; Eliasson, L.; van Hensbergen, H.; McEwan, A.

Occupational safety and health in forest harvesting and silviculture

A compendium for practitioners and instructors

Year of publication 2020

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 126 p.

Author Garland, J.; Cedergren, J.; Eliasson, L.; van Hensbergen, H.; McEwan, A.

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (series)

ISBN 978-92-5-132490-5

Series title Forestry Working Paper

Series number No. 14

Edition 1

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) The present working paper is primarily intended for producer organizations, trade unions, vocational training institutes, extensionists, instructors and relevant public bodies.The document addresses the forest as a work place, safety culture, workplace assessment, accident prevention and management, child labour, gender issues and selected health and safety issues. Reliable statistics on accident and fatality rates in forestry are missing, data available however indicates that forestry is a high-risk occupation. Workplace conditions in forestry are a function of site conditions, climate, weather, terrain and tree characteristics. The fundamentals of accident prevention are reduced hazard exposure and worker safety training. The first is achieved through risk assessments to identify hazards. Workers should be prepared for accidents at all times. Accident analysis is done to identify what occurred, the causes of the accident and how similar accidents might be avoided in future. Child labour is a human-rights issue and relevant to occupational safety and health. Reliable data on child labour in forestry is almost completely absent. Women in forestry can be exposed more often than men to musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory diseases and reproductive disorders due to chemical exposure. Women generally have a working capacity one-third lower than men. Heat stress occurs when the body is unable to dissipate heat to its surroundings. Heat stroke is the most serious health risk posed by heat stress. Risks and hazards associated with NWFPs derive from activities like climbing, cutting with sharp tools, digging and gathering, picking, and long and/or heavy manual transport.

Last updated 12/02/2021

Cite this content as:

Garland J., Cedergren J., Eliasson L., van Hensbergen, H., McEwan, A. and WКsterlund, D. 2020. Occupational safety and health in forest harvesting

and silviculture – A compendium for practitioners and instructors. Forestry Working Paper No. 14. Rome, FAO.

https://doi.org/10.4060/ca8773en

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Language English

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