The role of the New Zealand forest industry injury surveillance system in a strategic Ergonomics, Safety and Health Research Programme

Safety and health in forest harvesting operations. Diagnosis and preventive actions. A review.

“…Not only accidents but also injuries to the lumbar region, shoulders and neck are related to a higher age group (Hagen et al, 1998). Most researchers in this field have found a significant correlation between the lack of experience of the workers and the higher accident rate (Wang et al, 2003;Bentley et al, 2002;Shaffer and Milburn, 1999;Lefort et al, 2003). The workers with very little experience are less aware of the risks that they take, being more prone to injury (Tobisch et al, 2005) except slipping, tripping over and falls, which are more frequent among those of greater experience (Bentley et al, 2002).…”

“…Most researchers in this field have found a significant correlation between the lack of experience of the workers and the higher accident rate (Wang et al, 2003;Bentley et al, 2002;Shaffer and Milburn, 1999;Lefort et al, 2003). The workers with very little experience are less aware of the risks that they take, being more prone to injury (Tobisch et al, 2005) except slipping, tripping over and falls, which are more frequent among those of greater experience (Bentley et al, 2002). Low accident rate in Ireland is due to the experience of workers, which in average is 11.5 years (Nieuwenhuis and Lyons, 2002).…”

“…In each country these peaks vary, but the first hours of the working day and lunchtime hours coincide in several countries as having the highest frequency of accidents (Wang et al, 2003;Bentley et al, 2002;Driscol et al, 1995). During the year, due to the seasonality of the sector, these peaks were found among the months of autumn and spring.…”

“…Chainsaw-related injuries were most commonly to the foot (53% of chainsaw injuries), 394 P. M. Albizu-Urionabarrenetxea et al / Forest Systems (2013) 22(3): 392-400 while struck by log injuries occurred in greatest prevalence to the lower leg (46%) and foot (21%), according to Bentley et al (2002). Legs were also identified in New Zealand as the most injured body parts (Gaskin and Parker, 1993;Lilley et al, 2002).…”

“…There is a reduction in the number of fatal accidents of professional workers due to mechanization, but also an increase in the number of non-fatal accidents (Neely and Wilhelmson, 2006;Salminen et al, 1999;Bentley et al, 2002).…”