Chainsaw operators’ exposure to occupational risk factors and incidence of professional diseases specific to the forestry field

Iftime, Marius D; Dumitrascu, Adela-Eliza; Ciobanu, V.

doi:10.1080/10803548.2019.1703336

Cited by 18 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The hazards associated with working as a chainsaw operator can be divided into two types. The first results from the impact of the noise [28][29][30][31][32], hand and arm vibrations [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36], dust exposure [28], combustion products exhaust [37][38][39][40] and improper use of the tool [41][42][43]. The second type of danger is attributed to chainsaw operators who participate in rescue operations.…”

Section: Security Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Innovations in chainsaws utilised as mechanical rescue devices

Warguła¹,

Krawiec²,

Wieczorek³

et al. 2020

SFT

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Aim:The aim of the article is to identify innovative design solutions in chainsaws which are used in rescue and firefighting operations. The review concerns commercial solutions, scientific publications and patents. It enables to determine development trends of chainsaws utilised as mechanical rescue devices. Project and methods: Although chainsaw evolution analysis is available in the literature, in the greatest part it concerns only timber harvesting conditions. It lacks a review of technical solutions adapted to rescue and firefighting operations which may involve: wood impurities, the need to work on unstable ground and in limited space, the need to maintain focus in stressful and unpredictable situations. Fire protection units operations are aimed at saving people's health and life, therefore they should be carried out with the use of machines and devices with the best properties. Conclusions:The solutions presented in the article may affect the development of rescue teams equipment, thereby increasing their efficiency and work safety. Currently, there is a trend toward the use of mobile chainsaws involving: increased durability for cutting wood with impurities, low-emission drives with limited impact on the operator, systems protecting the operator's body against the chain blade during uncontrolled and unpredictable situations, biodegradable oils for chain lubrication. It is necessary to conduct research on innovative solutions towards the usefulness of chainsaws in rescue operations.

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Section: Security Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Zagrożenia dla operatora pilarki łańcuchowej można podzielić na dwa rodzaje. Pierwszy wynika z wpływu hałasu [28][29][30][31][32], wibracji rąk i ramion [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36], narażenia na pyły [28] i gazy spalinowe [37][38][39][40] oraz niewłaściwego użytkowania narzędzia [41][42][43].…”

Section: Układy Bezpieczeństwaunclassified

Innovations in chainsaws utilised as mechanical rescue devices

Warguła¹,

Krawiec²,

Wieczorek³

et al. 2020

SFT

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“…Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 7217 2 of 11 main biomechanical risk factors to whom chainsaw operators are exposed includes handarm vibration, awkward postures, repetitive movements, and extreme environmental conditions [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Public Health 2021, 18, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 12 tasks manually performed are felling, delimbing, and bucking (Figure 1). The main biomechanical risk factors to whom chainsaw operators are exposed includes hand-arm vibration, awkward postures, repetitive movements, and extreme environmental conditions [5]. Most of the harvesting routine is performed in awkward posture, due to the manual handling of the chainsaw.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hand-Wrist Disorders in Chainsaw Operators: A Follow-Up Study in a Group of Italian Loggers

Masci

Spatari

Giorgianni

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Despite the mechanization process implemented in arboriculture, logging tasks are still manually performed by chainsaw operators, which therefore are exposed to the risk of developing hand-wrist musculoskeletal disorders. Our research aimed to: (a) define whether the slight changes observed in 2017 showed an evolution to overt diseases; (b) study some risk determinants for these diseases such as age, working experience, and performing a secondary job. We recruited in a two-year follow-up study, 38 male forestry workers performing logging tasks employed in the Sicilian Forestry Department located in Enna. All the subjects underwent: (1) personal data collection; (2) administration of questionnaire addressed at upper limbs symptoms with a hand chart; (3) physical examination of the upper limbs, including Tinel’s and Phalen’s maneuvers; (4) ultrasound investigation of the hand-wrist area. In the two-year follow-up study we registered an overall increasing in wrist disorders, thus we can assume that forestry workers may be a target population for wrist diseases and deserve a particular attention in workers’ health surveillance programs. Interestingly, the prevalence of wrist-hand disorders resulted to be higher in younger workers.

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