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Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering : Journal for Theory and Application of Forestry Engineering, Vol. 43 No. 2, 2022.

Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2022.1639

Mental Workload, Occupational Fatigue and Musculoskeletal Disorders of Forestry Professionals: The Case of a Loblolly Plantation in Northern Iran

Zahra Arman ; University of Guilan Faculty of Natural Resources Sowmeh Sara 1144 Guilan IRAN
Mehrdad Nikooy ; University of Guilan Faculty of Natural Resources Sowmeh Sara 1144 Guilan IRAN
Petros A. Tsioras ; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Faculty of Forestry and Natural Environment POB 227 Thessaloniki GREECE
Mahmoud Heidari ; Guilan University of Medical Sciences School of Health Rasht IRAN
Baris Majnounian ; University of Tehran Department of Forestry Karaj IRAN

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Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) comprise one of the most important occupational health
issues in forestry professions. The purpose of the study was to examine the association among
musculoskeletal disorders, anthropometric and personal data, mental workload and occupational
fatigue in forest professionals in northern Iran by means of the Nordic Musculoskeletal
Questionnaire (NMQ), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index
(NASA-TLX), and the Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory (SOFI). More than eight out
of every ten subjects reported at least one MSD symptom during the past 12 months, with
lower back (72.5%), feet and ankles (49%) and neck (41.2%) being the more frequently affected
body regions. Similar MSD prevalences were reported for the period of seven days
prior to data collection. Both the mental workload (grand mean 73.18±7.54) and occupational
fatigue (grand mean 106.20±24.53) achieved high scores. MSD prevalence was found
to be correlated with the SOFI score and the NASA-TLX score during the last year and seven
days prior to data collection, respectively.
Overall, the study results confirm the very demanding nature of the forest professions, which
are characterized by high MSD prevalence, increased occupational fatigue and high mental
workload. Given the small-scale forestry characteristics in the study area, taking measures
such as introducing vocational training and promoting the use of personal protective equipment
are some first necessary steps for the local forestry workforce.

Keywords

motor-manual harvesting, mental strain, SOFI, NASA-TLX, forest operations

Hrčak ID:

290859

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/290859

Publication date:

30.6.2022.

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