health and safety - formec · w. Ł. nowacka . 49th international symposium on forestry...

W. Ł. Nowacka W. Ł. Nowacka 49th International Symposium on Forestry Mechanization (FORMEC) – From Theory to Practice: Challenges for Forest Engineering

Dr hab. inż. Wiesława Ł. Nowacka

[email protected]

Health and safety forestry machine operators status and point of view


Machines replace human workers

WORK: Dangerous Difficult - with physiological burden Requiring – efficiency, strenght, accuracy, speed,

error-free

W. Ł. Nowacka 49th International Symposium on Forestry Mechanization (FORMEC) – From Theory to Practice: Challenges for Forest Engineering

Changes, changes…….


Mechanized wood harvesting is fast developing in many former planned economies East Europe Countries. Good examples of that process could be seen in Estonia, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland too. In Poland mechanization of wood harvesting has started two decades ago and rapid growth is noted.

Changes …..


harvesters

forwarders

4 machines

15 machines

17 operators

6 operators


2012

harvesters forwarders

Estimated number of machines (harvesters and forwarders)


Methods Questionaires

Interviews

Medical check

Phisician anamnesis

Psychological tests

Efficiency tests


CARDIOLOGY (Diseases of the heart and vessels)

PULMONOLOGY (Diseases of the respiratory tract)

GASTROENTEROLOGY and HEPATOLOGY (Digestive tract and the liver)

UROLOGY (kidneys and urinary tract)

REUMATOLOGY (locomotory - back bone and joints diseases)

EDOCRYNOLOGY (Endocryne glands diseases)

HEMATOLOGY (blood diseases)

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (NEUROLOGY,EARS, eyes)

DERMATOLOGY (skin and mucosa diseases)

PSYCHIATRY (Mental Diseases )

FAMILY ANAMNESIS

HABITS

Health status


Some chosen results (27 examined operators –medical examnation)

Results


Results

Basic information concerning the respondents (N=27)


Results

Body Mass Index (normal, overweight, obesity)


Results

Distribution of BMI higher then 25 in age groups

Age and BMI >25 (%)

11,11

16,67

33,33

27,78

11,11

0,00

5,00

10,00

15,00

20,00

25,00

30,00

35,00

Age until 29

Age 30-39

Age 40-44

Age 45-49

Over 50


Results

Relationship between decreased exercise tolerance and some factors (N=10)


Results

Changes of EKG registration (N=27)

EKG changes

14

6

4

1

4

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

EKG changes

Ischemia

LV hypertrophy

Arrythmia

Heart block


Relationship between Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) and cabin air condition (in operators opinion).

Relationship between URTI and cabin air condition

100,00

85,71

75,00

80,00

85,00

90,00

95,00

100,00

105,00

URTI

In connections with cabin

climatization

Results


The pain incidence in the upper limbs was not age related (N=23)

Upper limbs pain (%)

44%

4%26%

9%

17%

Limb

Fingers

Wrist

Elbow

Shoulder

Results


Incidence of back pain among the forest machine operators

Results


Duration of back pain among the forest machine operators

Results


Results

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among the forest machine operators (N=27)

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (N=27)

7

6

10

0 5 10 15

Muscle tigling

Movement restriction

Back stiffness


Results

Prevalence of the pain localization in different parts of lower limb (N=10)

Lower limb pain (%)

49%

22%

6%

17%6%

Lower limb

Knee

Shank

Ankle

Foot


Results

Body trauma and bone fractures and operations undergone in the past (N=27)


Conclusions 1 !

Keep an eye on. Monitor the situation closely.


Thank you

health and safety - formec · w. Ł. nowacka . 49th international symposium on forestry...

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