Thus, a skilled and stable workforce is crucial to protecting forests and workers alike. As this insight takes hold, approaches are needed that will promote putting it into practice. Even in expert hands, the chainsaw is one of the most potentially dangerous tools ever invented. While cuts and open wounds are the most common type of injury, chainsaws can also cause deafness and other physical damage from vibrations. Under a full load, a chainsaw produces a level of noise that may cause irreversible damage to unprotected ears after only 15 minutes.
Experts say the chainsaw is likely to remain the key danger in the forests.
Already used universally in developed countries, its use in developing countries is expected to increase as plantations account for an increasing share of the wood harvest. In addition to hearing damage and vibration, physical degeneration from heavy work and exposure to extremes of climate force many forest workers to retire prematurely or to change jobs. The new Code draws on international experience in recent years which suggests that the traditional exclusive focus on technical aspects such as machine design and on the workplace was bound to fail. Forests are not factories with a stable working environment and highly standardized work processes. Making this difficult environment safer requires cooperation of all involved in the sector.