<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Cable yarding is a physically demanding and dangerous occupation in forest harvesting. Currently, the technology is gaining interest due to its low environmental impacts compared to the ground based technologies. This paper was focused on comparing the subjective opinions regarding occupational safety and work environment with objective findings found in the literature. We used a questionnaire with 33 questions, divided into three main parts: (i) personal traits of the participants; (ii) occupation description; and (iii) the occupational risks identified the participants. The sample consisted of 92 workers who operated cable yarders from both the public and the private sector. Our survey showed that 90% of public and 75% of private sector employees view their work as physically very demanding. Regarding risky behaviour, 50% of public, and 54% of private employees stated they risked only when the circumstances forced them to. However, more than 41% of public and 50% of private employees stated they suffered an occupational accident in the last ten years of working with this technology. Considering the workers worked in unstable climatic conditions, on unstable terrain, and the work environment presents other hazards, such as the loads, sharp tools and equipment, this result was not surprising.</p></abstract>

Cable yarding is a physically demanding and dangerous occupation in forest harvesting. Currently, the technology is gaining interest due to its low environmental impacts compared to the ground based technologies. This paper was focused on comparing the subjective opinions regarding occupational safety and work environment with objective findings found in the literature. We used a questionnaire with 33 questions, divided into three main parts: (i) personal traits of the participants; (ii) occupation description; and (iii) the occupational risks identified the participants. The sample consisted of 92 workers who operated cable yarders from both the public and the private sector. Our survey showed that 90% of public and 75% of private sector employees view their work as physically very demanding. Regarding risky behaviour, 50% of public, and 54% of private employees stated they risked only when the circumstances forced them to. However, more than 41% of public and 50% of private employees stated they suffered an occupational accident in the last ten years of working with this technology. Considering the workers worked in unstable climatic conditions, on unstable terrain, and the work environment presents other hazards, such as the loads, sharp tools and equipment, this result was not surprising.

Is cable yarding a dangerous occupation? A Survey from the public and private sector

Central European Forestry Journal

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Cable yarding is a physically demanding and dangerous occupation in forest harvesting. Currently, the technology is gaining interest due to its low...

Is cable yarding a dangerous occupation? A Survey from the public and private sector

Published Online: May 14, 2018

Page range: 127 - 132

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/forj-2017-0038

Keywords
occupational accident, occupational risks, cable yarding, public and private sector, questionnaire

© 2018 Michal Allman et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Is cable yarding a dangerous occupation? A Survey from the public and private sector

Published Online: May 14, 2018

Page range: 127 - 132

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/forj-2017-0038

Keywordsoccupational accident, occupational risks, cable yarding, public and private sector, questionnaire

© 2018 Michal Allman et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
occupational accident, occupational risks, cable yarding, public and private sector, questionnaire