Forestry ergonomics
A quick reference on neem
Introduction to ergonomics in forestry in developing countries. FAO Forestry Paper No. 100. 1992. Rome, FAO.
It is becoming increasingly recognized that not enough attention is being paid in developing countries to the relationships between the forest worker and his or her work environment. The situation is aggravated by a lack of basic legislation to protect the forest worker. Hence, the purpose of this publication is to draw attention to the need to study these relationships systematically and to draw up the necessary education and training programmes.
Following an introduction, six substantive chapters cover, respectively, the worker and the work; the working environment; occupational accidents and diseases; measures at the national and enterprise levels; ergonomic problems in different forestry activities; and the use of ergonomics checklists.
The chapter on workers and their work provides basic knowledge of human anatomy, life processes and the impact of work postures and scheduling on physical and mental stress. The chapter on the working environment is subdivided into sections dealing with biological and physical factors and technological and organizational factors (for example, the design, use and maintenance of tools and machines or the impact of noise and vibration). Chapter 4, dealing with occupational accidents and diseases, although very short, does cover the basic distinctions between accidents, i.e. sudden events with immediate impacts, and occupational diseases which negatively affect workers over time. A significant point mentioned in the discussion on accident reporting is the need to consider 'near misses", i.e. accidents that almost happened as these are often circumstances in which an accident was avoided only by chance.
The chapter on measures at the national and enterprise levels only briefly discusses national issues such as the need for laws and regulations, safety and accident insurance institutions, manfacturers and testing institutions and education, vocational training and extension and research. Significant attention, on the other hand, is devoted to measures at the enterprise level, including consideration of technical measures such as the use of appropriate technology and protective equipment; behavioural approaches; organizational measures; the need for occupational health and first aid services; and, finally, the need for ongoing work study programmes.
The sixth chapter examines ergonomic challenges in different forestry activities, including silviculture, harvesting, primary processing and specialized operations such as forest fire control and prevention. The final chapter details the potential benefits of using pre-prepared checklists when applying ergonomic concepts to forestry (sample checklists are provided).
The text is illustrated throughout with line drawings which help to ensure an understanding of the concepts discussed.
Introduction to ergonomics in forestry in developing countries is aimed at forestry teachers and trainers, particularly at technical and vocational levels. In view of the multifaceted nature of the forest work environment and how it affects the forest worker in terms of his or her safety, health, wellbeing and efficiency, the publication should also be of interest to professional forestry educators and researchers.
Guide-lines on ergonomic study in forestry. E. Apud, L. Bostrand, I.D. Mobbs & B. Strehlke. 1989. Geneva, ILO ISBN 92-2-106957-5.
Operational efficiency and ergonomic conditions in forestry are closely linked. If workers are content with their jobs, if they are not exposed to excessive physical and mental stress, if they are adequately protected against unfavourable environmental influences and if they are in an acceptable state of health and receiving adequate nutrition, they will produce more and earn better wages. Likewise, employers benefit if operations are running smoothly, if equipment and machines are more fully utilized and break down less frequently and if they can count on a qualified and stable workforce.
Particularly but not exclusively, in developing countries forestry operations continue to suffer from the lack of attention given to ergonomic requirements. Research and studies into these aspects are therefore an important component of the larger campaign to improve forest management and use.
A workshop on operational efficiency, work study and ergonomic study was held in 1985 in the United Republic of Tanzania. It was organized through the ILO, in collaboration with the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO) and the Finnish forestry training programme for developing countries. When the proceedings of the workshop were issued in 1986, although they provided an idea of the different approaches to work and ergonomic studies carried out on forestry activities, participants in the workshop expressed a need for more detailed information as regards ergonomic study. This need was echoed by participants at the 18th IUFRO World Congress, held in Yugoslavia in 1986.
Some of the senior research workers who participated In the Tanzanian workshop therefore agreed to present more detailed guidance on ergonomics research methods of particular relevance to forestry. This publication contains their contributions and serves to disseminate them more widely among forest scientists and managers in developing countries. The guidelines do not cover all possible fields of ergonomics research, nor have all subjects been dealt with in the same depth.
The main contribution, prepared by Elias Apud, deals with human biological methods for ergonomics research in forestry. It reflects many years of experience in ergonomics research in the forestry sector in Chile. Lisbet Bostrand, a former forestry research worker of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, spent several years at the FAO/SIDA Centre for Forest Education Development in the Philippines teaching ergonomics to forestry teachers. She has used ergonomic checklists and noise measurement successfully during fieldwork and provided the chapters dealing with these subjects.
Research on forest accidents has for a long time been a concern of Bernt Strehlke, currently Chief Technical Adviser of an International Labour Organisation - assisted logging school project in Fiji, and formerly the ILO Vocational Training and Forestry and Wood Industries Specialist, based in Geneva. As the study of ergonomics is closely linked to work study, a short introduction to this field of research, prepared by I.D. Mobbs, a member of the Work Study Branch of the British Forest Research Organisation, is also included in the guidelines.
S. Dembner
Fitting the job to the forest worker. An illustrated training manual on ergonomics. 1992. Geneva, ILO. ISBN 92-2-108113-8. Price SwF 17.50.
Forestry work is characterized by a difficult working environment, heavy physical effort and a high accident risk Particularly in developing countries, this results in low productivity, poor wages and an unstable workforce. To secure the future of forestry, human resources as well as forest resources must be used in a sustainable manner. The application of ergonomics in forestry is an important tool in creating such conditions.
This is the message that this training manual sets out to convey. It appeals to managers and supervisors to be more concerned about the relationship between the forest workers and their job.
The manual is written as a teaching aid for both basic and more advanced forest education and training. Scientific language has been deliberately avoided as much as possible to facilitate comprehension.
The text is divided into eight sections: introduction; body and work; the natural environment; technological considerations; planning and organization of work; accidents and their prevention; working conditions; and training in ergonomics. The text is illustrated throughout with simple line drawings and the main chapters are identified by drawings which appear in the upper right-hand corner of each page.
The publication was issued as part of the forestry programme of the Industrial Activities Branch of the International Labour Organisation, which aims to improve productivity, working conditions and training in this industry. Fitting the job to the forest worker is currently available in English only but a Spanish edition is in preparation.
S. Dembner
Neem. A tree for solving global problems. National Research Council. 1992. Washington, D.C., National Academy Press. ISBN 0-309-04686-6.
Neem. A tree for solving global problems.
"Neem is a fascinating tree", as stated in the preface of this book, is an appropriate opening for a discourse on a tree that provides insecticides, medicines and oil and that may even be a future source of contraceptive products. These uses are in addition to the value of neem (Azadirachta indica) as a source of shade and fuelwood, especially in the semiarid and arid tropics.
This book is the report of an ad hoc panel of the United States National Research Council's Board on Science and Technology for International Development. Six scientists, representing the United States Department of Agriculture, several universities, a private cancer research centre in the United States and the International Centre of Insects Physiology and Ecology in Nairobi, Kenya, prepared the report under the leadership of Dr N.D. Vietmeyer.
Despite the myriad promises that neem offers, the authors are quick to point out mat there is still a lack of data supported by controlled experiments or long-term experience with the use of neem products. This aspect is discussed effectively in the two opening chapters: The vision and The reality. The book proceeds with chapters entitled The bee; What's in a neem; Effects on insects; Effects on other organisms; Medicinal; Industrial products; and Reforestation. A final chapter reviews needs for future action and supporting research.
Chapters are subdivided into l concise sections and are l supported by illustrations and graphics. Many of the chapters contain text boxes with valuable and interesting material, such as historical anecdotes about neem and its many uses. Another worthwhile feature of the book is a series of annexes, that describe safety tests conducted to date on insecticidal products derived from neem and a discussion of the potential contraceptive properties of neem oil. An extensive list of research contacts and literature citations (unfortunately limited almost exclusively to English texts) completes the work.
While the treatment of the subject is concise and fast-moving, some sections are disappointingly short, particularly those on biology and silviculture. For example, coverage of pest problems is extremely limited; there is only a brief reference to the scale insect problem in the Lake Chad Basin of West Africa; while an extensive decline of neem in the Niger, due to yet undetermined causes, is not mentioned.
Another problem not addressed is the likely narrow genetic base of neem, introduced into Africa and other areas outside its natural Asian habitat. Lack of intraspecific variation may be a contributing factor to the reported decline of neem in the Niger.
Nonetheless, this easy-to-read book is a good, quick reference source for anyone with an interest in this multifaceted tree and indicates directions for further study.
W.M. Ciesla
