Occupational safety and health conditions of forestry workers in Turkey

Abstract

The safety and health conditions of forestry workers in Turkey were surveyed, as there are currently no statistics on these topics despite the occurrence of accidents and health problems caused by forestry work. We used a questionnaire that inquired about safety and health conditions, job satisfaction, and cumulative fatigue symptoms of forestry workers. Of the respondents, 24% experienced accidents during work, many of which consisted of cuts by chain saws or axes. Also, most respondents indicated that they did not use any personal protective equipment (PPE), although the use of PPE is strongly recommended to avoid fatal or serious accidents. With respect to job satisfaction, 43% of the respondents were dissatisfied with their job mainly because of the low salary and heavy work. Marital status, educational background and period of employment had the potential to greatly affect job satisfaction. As a result of research using the Cumulative Fatigue Symptoms Index (CFSI), mental, physical and social aspects of cumulative fatigue were recognized in the respondents. Furthermore, it can be concluded that job dissatisfaction negatively affected the incidence of cumulative fatigue in forestry workers, and that taking measures to enhance job satisfaction among forestry workers would improve their quality of life through lessening of cumulative fatigue. It should also be noted that ‘sustainable forestry and environmental protection' were the greatest concerns beyond salary and insurance among the respondents.

Key words:

• Cumulative fatigue
• Job satisfaction
• Questionnaire
• Safety and health
• Turkey