IMPROVEMENT OF COMPETENCE OF LABOUR PROTECTION SPECIALISTS ASSESSMENT OF COGNITIVE ERGONOMIC ASPECTS IN JSC LATVIAN STATE FORESTS (LVM) NURSERIES

Abstract

Influenced by the current COVID-19 situation in Latvia and in the world, work environment is associated with psychological load – the psycho-emotional risk factor as an aspect of cognitive ergonomics, which can affect employees’ health, productivity and quality. Forest nursery work is usually solitary, and it is conducted out-of-doors. In Latvia, the agricultural industry employs about 50 thousand workers in various trades performing diverse tasks, for example, working at forestry tasks with tractor equipment and in outdoor conditions with hand-held power tools, as well as office work and working with timber transport. For this reason, the present research is relevant, as it aims to identify the psycho-emotional risk factors in cognitive ergonomic effects on the health of workers in forest management, and to make proposals to reduce the risks. The following methods were use in the research: work environment risk assessment, burnout syndrome test, and the method for determining the working capacity index, Charles D. Spielberger’s survey, and a well-being survey. The highest risk factors for forestry workers in their daily employment are working in a forced position and in different weather conditions, which can affect employees psychologically. The largest number of employees with signs of fatigue is found in the age groups of 40-49 and 50-59 years. The study identified the need to increase the competence of labour protection specialists by improving the master program to ensure the necessary raising of awareness in the context of cognitive ergonomics.