Assessment of Chainsaw Operators Training in Andalusia (Spain)

Abstract

The chainsaw, as a work equipment, is considered one of the most dangerous in the field of occupational health and safety. The chainsaw is especially used in the forestry sector, although it is also used in other different sectors such as agriculture, construction or gardening. This study was carried out using an ad-hoc questionnaire as a research tool in order to assess the weaknesses in the training received by workers who use chainsaws in Andalusia, Spain, since it has never been addressed before. To achieve the objective set, the questionnaire was completed by 378 operators working with chainsaw and their responses were analysed. The results of this study show that there are obvious shortcomings related to work with chainsaws in very significant aspects for the occupational health and safety. Of special importance is the lack of training detected on rescue techniques and work at height, since these are aspects of special risk for workers’ health that could cause accidents with severe injuries. Also, a common denominator in all aspects studied was the lack of safety inspections and the state of the equipment to be used. These results evidence that there is a need to regulate chainsaw operator training.

An ergonomic study of arborist work activities

“…As arborists work in a high-risk environment, the combination of grip strength and resistance to psychological stress are also very important attributes in maintaining a safe workplace. Many authors confirm that arboriculture is demanding due to the workplace being outdoors and environmental effects [ 5 ], such as exposure to extreme temperature, noise or vibrations, but also psychosocial/cognitive aspects, including time schedule issues [ 2 , 18 ], individual characteristics [ 3 , 24 ] or levels of workers stress [ 4 , 22 ]. Another aspect is that people working in arboriculture are often engaged in heavy manual work which requires human energy [ 4 ] and basic tools which [ 33 ] although to some extent can be replaced by mechanized work, this still does require cognitive demand [ 1 ].…”

“…Overall, little is known about the work of arborists in the context of ergonomic performance and how this relates to work safety. As reported by Ferreira et al [ 18 ], working hours influence the physical and mental state of workers. The safety of work techniques, productivity, and level of fatigue are useful topics for research.…”

“…Although a complete picture of accidents involving arborists Europe is not available, Robb & Cocking [ 14 ] found that aerial chainsaw use was the most dangerous arborist activity in the United Kingdom. Training on rescue techniques, inspection, and work at height with equipment, seems to be neglected and is of particular importance since this neglect could lead to accidents with severe injuries, as reported by Jones [ 15 ], Statham and Roebuck [ 16 ], Longo et al [ 17 ], Ferreira et al [ 18 ], and Staněk et al [ 19 ]. Neville [ 20 ] suggested tree-risk decision making as a process to ensure a confident and professional stance for sensible risk management policies and safe working conditions for arborists.…”

Improving the training of employees of logging enterprises in the field of labor protection

“…The use of electronic The combination of ordinary and virtual reality makes it possible to operate all human senses (Figure 3), to achieve the highest efficiency of learning [22], without being exposed to real danger. Thus, the research results of a number of authors [14,15,16] indicate that during logging there is a fairly large number of accidents associated, as a rule, with violations of the rules of safe operation due to both neglect of safety regulations and ordinary forgetfulness, this is especially characteristic during logging with gasoline-powered saws. The use of virtual reality technologies allows both to gain safe work skills and to quickly restore them after a long break [23,24].…”

“…As the analysis of the works showed [13,14,15,16,17], the logging process continues to be a dangerous production, this is typical for both European countries and all others. Conducting routine training is becoming insufficient to exclude cases of occupational injury, a search for new training methods is needed.…”