The compendium, free for download, is aimed at practitioners and instructors.
The publication is primarily intended for forestry companies, trade unions, vocational training institutes, extensionists, instructors and relevant public bodies. It is a first of its kind that aims to bring much relevant content together for users. 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 publication brings together much literature and experience to assist forestry practitioners and trainers in the safety and health of operations.
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. A sound safety culture recognises that accidents will likely occur. The challenge is to reduce or avoid the consequences of such accidents. There is much that can, and must, be done to establish a safety culture in forestry.
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.
The document is titled “Occupational safety and health in forest harvesting and silviculture – A compendium for practitioners and instructors” It is published by the FAO as Forestry Working Paper No. 14 (2020). The authors are J Garland, J Cedergren, L Eliasson, H van Hensbergen, A McEwan and D Wasterlund. Source 1 and 2