Logging and forestry workers do a variety of manual tasks such as attaching choker cables to logs, planting trees, clearing brush, spraying chemicals (pesticides), cleaning up landing areas and helping other workers in woodland operations. They work for logging companies and contractors. Forestry workers, logging workers, swampers, seasonal tree planters, chokermen and chokerwomen, chainsaw and skidder operators, logging machinery operators and silviculture workers are all part of this group.
Description of Job
Main Duties
- plant trees using manual tools, such as a planting shovel or a dibble
- feed machines manually and oversee quality control
- help other workers at logging sites
- prepare a site for planting
- unload seedlings from truck
- water seedlings regularly
- carry seedlings and tools, weighing approximately 33 kg
Health and Safety Hazards
Ninety percent of 65 planters interviewed had suffered an illness, injury or accident during their tree-planting activities. In Canada, 15 tree planters died between 1987 and 1991 of these work-related causes: road accidents, wild animals, lightning, heat stroke and fatal lodging incidents (fire and suffocation).
Biological:
- eye and skin irritations from insect bites and plants;
- allergic reactions to plants; wasp or snake venom.
Chemical:
- potential health risk from handling seedlings freshly sprayed with pesticides;
- eye irritation may occur from the repeated use of insect repellent.
Ergonomic:
- tree planting can cause significant cardiovascular and musculoskeletal strain;
- "tree-planter burnout," causes weakness and lightheadedness similar to "adrenal exhaustion syndrome" or "sport anaemia" in athletes;
- long workdays, commuting and strict quality control, piece-work pay incentives may cause chronic stress and fatigue;
- back injury from frequent bending and carrying heavy loads with improperly balanced harnesses;
- extreme flexing of the wrists when grabbing seedlings from the trays may cause injury to the upper limbs;
- shock transmissions when a planting tool hits a hidden rock, suddenly jarring the wrist, may cause injury;
- repetitive nature of the work and the intensive muscular effort required when plunging the dibble, together contribute to muscular strain on upper limbs.
Physical:
- sunburn;
- heat stress and heat stroke;
- dehydration
- chapping and scratches of the hands from continuous contact with soil.
Safety:
- tripping and falling accidents especially in rough terrain;
- repetitive falls, contact with tools and soil compaction can severely injure knees, legs, and ankles;
- skin irritation and cuts from repeated contact with equipment, tools and soil;
- eye injuries and irritation from twigs and other debris;
- forest fires;
- extreme weather conditions and changes.
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