Volume 14, Issue 1 (7-2026)
Ecol Iran For 2026, 14(1): 146-157 |
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Keivan Behjou F, Ghanbari S, Pourramazan P, Esamili A. (2026). Analysis of Occupational Accidents in Forest Logging Operations (Case Study: Chafroud Forests, Guilan). Ecol Iran For. 14(1), 146-157. doi:10.61882/ifej.2026.581
URL: http://ifej.sanru.ac.ir/article-1-581-en.html
URL: http://ifej.sanru.ac.ir/article-1-581-en.html
1- Department of Forest Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
2- Department of Forestry, Faculty of Ahar Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tabriz, Ahar, Iran & Research Center of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
3- Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
4- Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
2- Department of Forestry, Faculty of Ahar Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tabriz, Ahar, Iran & Research Center of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
3- Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
4- Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
Abstract: (503 Views)
Extended Abstract
Background: Examining injury rates in various occupations, particularly in the forestry sector, is a critical indicator for assessing occupational safety. Forestry is considered one of the most hazardous occupational sectors. It is associated with a high rate of occupational injuries and accidents. Due to the inherently dangerous nature of forestry, it is prone to incidents that result in both physical and financial losses, especially in mountainous countries such as Iran. Numerous reports have highlighted that forest exploitation is a high-risk occupation that not only faces natural hazards but also safety challenges related to machinery use and poor working conditions. To mitigate these accidents, effective management and the promotion of a safety culture in the workplace are of utmost importance. Studies have shown that the majority of accidents are caused by unsafe behaviors and environmental conditions. Research on the causes of accidents and risk analysis, particularly in wood harvesting operations within Iranian forests, has focused on identifying risk factors and improving occupational safety. Investigating the types and severity of injuries is crucial for the better management of occupational safety. Therefore, this study investigates occupational injuries related to forest harvesting in the Chafroud region of western Guilan Province.
Method: The study area is located in the Chafroud watershed in the western part of Gilan Province. Geographically, it is a mountainous and steep region, with slopes reaching up to 80% in some areas. The elevation in this region ranges from 900 to 1500 meters above sea level. For this study, data on work-related accidents in the forests of Chafroud were gathered from reports and questionnaires, covering 371 accidents over 10 years (2004-2013). Semi-mechanized exploitation methods are employed in the area, including chainsaw cutting, skidding with a skidder, and loading with a loader. This study was conducted using a cross‑sectional descriptive design, and the data were analyzed using SPSS software. Accident frequency rate (AFR) and accident severity rate (ASR) were used to analyze the accidents. The AFR measures the number of accidents per million working hours, while the ASR measures the number of days lost per thousand working hours. The severity rates were analyzed and compared based on slope and different stages of operation. Additionally, the frequency rate, severity and type, cause of the incident, type of accident, time of occurrence, type of injury, and occupation of the injured were the other evaluated factors.
Results: The average AFR (recurrence coefficient) was 14 in the forests of Chafroud, meaning that, on average, 14 accidents occurred per million working hours. The highest number of accidents was recorded in 2009. The average ASR was 0.18, indicating that 0.18 days were lost per thousand working hours. The highest accident severity rate occurred in 2006, while the lowest was in 2008. In terms of accident causes, being struck by equipment or moving objects was the most common cause, accounting for 14% of the accidents, while burns were the least common. Regarding the type of injury, the most frequent injuries were to the hands (36%) and feet (28%). Results from the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the ASR significantly varied depending on land slope and the cause of the accident. The severity rate was higher on slopes greater than 30% compared to lower slopes, and accidents during the felling stage were more severe than those during the logging and loading stages. As for the time of occurrence, most accidents took place between 11:00-12:00 AM and 1:00-2:00 PM. Finally, the majority of injuries were associated with logging operations, while the fewest accidents occurred during restoration and development activities. Based on the results of the Tukey mean comparison test, the ASR is higher in the felling stage and different from the logging stage, and it is also higher and different from the loading stage in the logging stage. On the other hand, the results of the regression analysis show that the ASR decreases exponentially as the operation stage changes from felling to skidding and loading.
Conclusion: Given the commencement of the Seventh Development Plan in Iran and the shift in perspective regarding forest management, along with the growing need to prioritize human resources in forestry, research on occupational safety in forests has become particularly crucial. Therefore, the reliable dissemination of research findings on occupational safety and work-related accidents in forests is of significant importance, especially considering the limited number of such studies published in the country. To reduce the incidence and severity of accidents in the study area, it is recommended to incorporate safety programs into worker training upon their entry into the job. Foremen should conduct these safety training sessions in the forest. Additionally, workers should be encouraged to use safety and personal protection equipment, informed about the benefits of these devices, and motivated to use them consistently.
Background: Examining injury rates in various occupations, particularly in the forestry sector, is a critical indicator for assessing occupational safety. Forestry is considered one of the most hazardous occupational sectors. It is associated with a high rate of occupational injuries and accidents. Due to the inherently dangerous nature of forestry, it is prone to incidents that result in both physical and financial losses, especially in mountainous countries such as Iran. Numerous reports have highlighted that forest exploitation is a high-risk occupation that not only faces natural hazards but also safety challenges related to machinery use and poor working conditions. To mitigate these accidents, effective management and the promotion of a safety culture in the workplace are of utmost importance. Studies have shown that the majority of accidents are caused by unsafe behaviors and environmental conditions. Research on the causes of accidents and risk analysis, particularly in wood harvesting operations within Iranian forests, has focused on identifying risk factors and improving occupational safety. Investigating the types and severity of injuries is crucial for the better management of occupational safety. Therefore, this study investigates occupational injuries related to forest harvesting in the Chafroud region of western Guilan Province.
Method: The study area is located in the Chafroud watershed in the western part of Gilan Province. Geographically, it is a mountainous and steep region, with slopes reaching up to 80% in some areas. The elevation in this region ranges from 900 to 1500 meters above sea level. For this study, data on work-related accidents in the forests of Chafroud were gathered from reports and questionnaires, covering 371 accidents over 10 years (2004-2013). Semi-mechanized exploitation methods are employed in the area, including chainsaw cutting, skidding with a skidder, and loading with a loader. This study was conducted using a cross‑sectional descriptive design, and the data were analyzed using SPSS software. Accident frequency rate (AFR) and accident severity rate (ASR) were used to analyze the accidents. The AFR measures the number of accidents per million working hours, while the ASR measures the number of days lost per thousand working hours. The severity rates were analyzed and compared based on slope and different stages of operation. Additionally, the frequency rate, severity and type, cause of the incident, type of accident, time of occurrence, type of injury, and occupation of the injured were the other evaluated factors.
Results: The average AFR (recurrence coefficient) was 14 in the forests of Chafroud, meaning that, on average, 14 accidents occurred per million working hours. The highest number of accidents was recorded in 2009. The average ASR was 0.18, indicating that 0.18 days were lost per thousand working hours. The highest accident severity rate occurred in 2006, while the lowest was in 2008. In terms of accident causes, being struck by equipment or moving objects was the most common cause, accounting for 14% of the accidents, while burns were the least common. Regarding the type of injury, the most frequent injuries were to the hands (36%) and feet (28%). Results from the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the ASR significantly varied depending on land slope and the cause of the accident. The severity rate was higher on slopes greater than 30% compared to lower slopes, and accidents during the felling stage were more severe than those during the logging and loading stages. As for the time of occurrence, most accidents took place between 11:00-12:00 AM and 1:00-2:00 PM. Finally, the majority of injuries were associated with logging operations, while the fewest accidents occurred during restoration and development activities. Based on the results of the Tukey mean comparison test, the ASR is higher in the felling stage and different from the logging stage, and it is also higher and different from the loading stage in the logging stage. On the other hand, the results of the regression analysis show that the ASR decreases exponentially as the operation stage changes from felling to skidding and loading.
Conclusion: Given the commencement of the Seventh Development Plan in Iran and the shift in perspective regarding forest management, along with the growing need to prioritize human resources in forestry, research on occupational safety in forests has become particularly crucial. Therefore, the reliable dissemination of research findings on occupational safety and work-related accidents in forests is of significant importance, especially considering the limited number of such studies published in the country. To reduce the incidence and severity of accidents in the study area, it is recommended to incorporate safety programs into worker training upon their entry into the job. Foremen should conduct these safety training sessions in the forest. Additionally, workers should be encouraged to use safety and personal protection equipment, informed about the benefits of these devices, and motivated to use them consistently.
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