Analysis of work accidents in wood harvesting: A case study of the East Black Sea region

Abstract

In developing countries, wood harvesting is a labor-intensive work, carried out under difficult terrain conditions and using a heavy work material. This makes the harvest workers exposed to many hazards due to the nature of their work or working environment. Wood harvesting activities are carried out by villagers who living in areas near the forests. They are seasonal workers and do not have any health insurance related to wood harvesting works or vocational training. This prevents the creation of a database about work accidents and occupational diseases connected with wood harvesting. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between work accidents and demographic characteristics of seasonal harvesting workers in the Northeast of Turkey. In the scope of the study, a total of 97 male harvest workers were interviewed using the face-to-face method in Trabzon and Giresun. Male workers’ demographic characteristics, work accidents during their professional lives, and discomfort from harvesting works were determined. As a result, it was found that approximately 41% of the workers experienced work accidents. It was revealed that the accident rates had decreased related to workers’age and work experience in the past 5 years. It was also found that 18% of work accidents occurred on Wednesdays and between 15.00 and 17.00. This may have been caused by the exhaustion due to working all day. Considering the extent of the work done and the burden it carries, the duration of breaks should be revised to prevent carelessness and fatigue in workers. To avoid injuries of the hands and feet, wood harvest workers must use suitable work safety shoes and gloves resistant to cutting.