The forestry and logging industry inherently faces many types of hazards that pose a risk to the health and safety of workers and others.
Below are just some of the common hazards.
Falling objects
Each year, Australian workers are seriously injured or killed during tree felling and related activities.
Australian data indicates:
- about 65% of fatalities occurred during tree felling
- 20% during trimming/lopping and
- 7% during cutting/clearing of felled material.
All PCBUs must ensure workers are not exposed to health and safety risks resulting from their work activities. This includes determining and implementing safe systems of work to eliminate or minimise risk.
Common risk factors when felling is assisted by mobile plant include:
- inadequate falling object
’sprotective structure (FOPS) fitted to the machine - inadequate weight and reach capacity
- incorrect calculation of stability and capacity
- utility services such as overhead powerlines or underground gas pipes
- movement/shaking of tree by machine when feller is near the tree
- unidentified escape route for feller and machine operator.
Common risk factors when manual felling with a chainsaw include:
- leaning, stressed, rotten cores, unpredictable trees
- difficult ground conditions and slope
- undefined or not clearly identifiable escape routes
- chainsaw recoil or kickback
- objects or branches falling from the tree you are working on and other trees in the vicinity
- nearby structures and powerlines
- other trees in the intended fall direction
- being struck by the butt of the tree such as the barber chair – a particular risk in Australian hardwoods
- inclement weather conditions such as strong winds.
See also - Tree felling. SafeWork SA
Fatigue
Fatigue is more than feeling tired and drowsy. In a work context, fatigue is a state of mental and/or physical exhaustion which reduces a person’s ability to perform work safely and effectively. It can occur because of prolonged mental or physical activity, sleep loss and/or disruption of the internal body clock. Fatigue can be caused by factors which may be work related, non-work related or a combination of both and can accumulate over time.
Fatigue can adversely affect safety at the workplace. Fatigue reduces alertness which may lead to errors and an increase in incidents and injuries, particularly when operating fixed or mobile plant, including driving vehicles, undertaking critical tasks that require a high level of concentration or undertaking night or shift work when a person would ordinarily be sleeping.
Safework Australia | Managing the risk of fatigue
Isolated work
Isolated work means work that is isolated from the assistance of other people - including rescue, medical assistance and emergency services - because of the location, time or nature of the work being done.
You must identify and manage the risks associated with any remote or isolated work. Risk means anything that may cause harm to workers or other people at your workplace.
This will involve you:
- identifying any problems (known as hazard identification) - exposure to violence and poor access to emergency assistance are the main hazards that increase the risk of remote or isolated work
- making an assessment of the risks (determining how serious the problems is)
- finding ways to control the risks (deciding what needs to be done about the problem)
Before starting remote or isolated work consider the following:
- Communication Procedures-
- How will a worker call for help?
- Will communication systems work in all conditions?
- If systems are vehicle based, what’s the back up when away from the vehicle?
- Who will check in with the remote worker and how often?
- What is the emergency plan if the worker cannot be contacted?
- Worker Capability:
- Does the worker have the training and experience to assess and manage risks?
- Job Duration
- How long will the task take? Is it reasonable for one person?
- Equipment and Vehicle Reliability:
- What’s the plan if equipment fails or assistance is needed?
- Medical Preparedness:
- Is there a known condition that increases risk?
- Who can provide first aid or CPR nearby?
- Can emergency services access the location?
- Is there a fully stocked first aid kit available?
- Environmental Hazards:
- Are there risks from extreme temperatures or wildlife?
Ensure all safety measures are in place before work begins. Being prepared can make the difference in an emergency.
Hazardous manual tasks
A hazardous manual task is a task requiring a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any person, animal or thing involving one or more of the following: − repetitive or sustained force − high or sudden force − repetitive movement − sustained or awkward posture, or − exposure to vibration. These hazards directly stress the body and can lead to an injury.
A PCBU must eliminate risks arising from hazardous manual tasks, or if that is not reasonably practicable, minimise the risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
Further information:
