Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2022.1539
An Analysis of Chainsaw Operator Safety Between Asian and European Countries
William Robb
orcid.org/0000-0003-2818-8474
; Mendel University in Brno Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology Department of Engineering Zemědělská 3 613 00, Brno CZECH REPUBLIC
Tomáš Zemánek
; Mendel University in Brno Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology Department of Engineering Zemědělská 3 613 00, Brno CZECH REPUBLIC
Nopparat Kaakkurivaara
; Kasetsart University Faculty of Forestry Department of Forest Engineering 50 Ngamwongwan Rd, Ladyao Chatuchak, Bangkok THAILAND
Sažetak
Work safety in the forestry industry, where chainsaws are used for tree felling, continues to
be a top priority. The mobility of workers involved in chainsaw operations between Europe
and Asia has become more common in today’s global workplace. Therefore, sharing knowledge
about the types of work safety issues found in both regions can be beneficial. Increased knowledge
and safety awareness in the workplace can contribute to a reduction in chainsaw accidents.
This paper identifies and addresses four key related areas, namely: regulatory frameworks;
chainsaw accidents; personal protective equipment and chainsaw training. Information
for both regions was evaluated via interviews, questionnaires, direct observation, desk studies,
field studies and descriptive statistical analysis. A total of 234 participants responded to the
main research questionnaire, which resulted in data analysis of significant questions related
to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and possible causes of accidents. Key findings
included a need for more information relating to the effect of regulations in individual
countries and chainsaw accident and fatality statistics within Asia. A requirement for further
research into the suitability of PPE used in Asia was identified. Inadequate training was seen
as a primary factor causing accidents in Asia, while in Europe, it was due to chainsaw operators
taking shortcuts. Inadequate workplace supervision and a lack of uniform and affordable
training provision were common issues identified within both regions. Field tests carried out
in accordance with the International/European chainsaw (ICC/ECC) qualification standards
of the »non-profit« Awarding Body Association (ABA) International were successful in demonstrating
the benefits of uniform training to participants in Europe and Asia. Overall, the
study raises awareness of the fatal consequences of risk-taking behaviour to work safety, requiring
a better understanding of the problem from a social psychology perspective. It identifies
the self-employed or temporary worker groups as high-risk categories in both regions, with
younger workers seen to be more at risk of injury in Asia and older workers more at risk in
Europe. The findings demonstrate that, while there are differences between the two regions (at
least within the participating countries), it is essential to provide quality education and raise
skills by training and promotion of supervision in order to prevent chainsaw accidents. This
can lead to the development of the building blocks of a holistic approach to safety in forestry
work, which, as shown in this paper, can result in a decrease in the occurrence of accidents.
Ključne riječi
work safety, forestry, accidents, chainsaw, PPE, OSH, training, loggers, arborists
Hrčak ID:
290857
URI
Datum izdavanja:
30.6.2022.
Posjeta: 303 *