Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2021.702
Forest Machinery Fires: Trends in New Zealand Forest Harvesting Sector
Rien Visser
orcid.org/0000-0003-2137-9198
; University of Canterbury New Zealand School of Forestry Christchurch NEW ZEALAND
Samuel Lloyd McDell
; PF Olsen Ltd. Gisborne 4010 NEW ZEALAND
Okey Francis Obi
; University of Nigeria Faculty of Engineering Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering Department 41001, Nsukka Enugu stat
Abstract
Fires in forest machines are typically catastrophic in terms of machine destruction and can develop rapidly to be a risk to the machine operator. They are an issue worldwide and there can be larger consequences such as starting a major forest fire. This paper describes trends in machine fire occurrences in the New Zealand forest harvesting sector. A total of 224 machinery fire incidents were recorded over an 8 year period from 2007 to 2014. Trends in forest machinery fires in the sector were identified and summarized. Late morning (10 am-noon) and mid-afternoon (2–4 pm) showed the highest incidence of machine fire, corresponding to periods with the highest level of work. Excluding the main holiday months, there was a correlation of machine fires to average monthly temperature. Summary statistics on causes of fire ignition showed that 40% were attributed to electrical and hydraulic faults; however, some remain unidentified as the fires commenced after work was completed. A short survey of industry managers was carried out to ascertain machine fire perceptions. 67% agreed that machine fire was an issue, and only 33% thought the current industry procedures were sufficient to mitigate them. The report concludes with proactive measures to reduce the incidence of forest machine fire risk.
Keywords
fires, forestry, machinery, safety
Hrčak ID:
255267
URI
Publication date:
6.4.2021.
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