Efficient utilization of pine logs in northern Mexico through training

Abstract

The timber industry and other sectors that rely on forest management, would benefit from a deeper understanding of the extraction work carried out by properly trained workers. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of training operational personnel on the efficient utilization of harvested pine logs in the southern region of the state of Chihuahua, in northern Mexico. Two samplings of the logging present in the cutting area of the ejido Basihuare (communal land) were carried out, taking into consideration the diameter with and without bark, visual quality, length, and use for reinforcement. The sampling involved recording 116 logs prior to a directional felling and log dimensioning training process, and 336 logs divided into three sampling blocks after the training. The data was analysed with tests for variance homogeneity, and ANOVA analyses were performed at a significance level of 0.05. It was found that training forestry harvest personnel allows for an improvement in the process of classifying logs destined for industrial use according to their dimension and visual quality. Additionally, the training allowed for the proper adjustment of reinforcements applied in the log dimensioning process, and as a result, it was possible to efficiently utilize available resources, significantly reducing the generation of waste after resizing of the wood products. For the advancement of the forestry sector, it is necessary to prioritize training as a driving element of quality to raise operational efficiency parameters of production and, consequently, promote the evolution of the production process.