Logging
Forestry Workforce Location- and Wearable-based Activity Recognition to Quantify on-the Job Digital Health and Safety Metrics
Logging is among the most dangerous professions in the United States. Manual felling of timber with chainsaws and setting of cable log chokers accounted for 47% of injuries in Idaho between 2011-2014. Building on a recent PNASH pilot project, a library of wearable- and location-based human activity recognition (HAR) models will be developed and coded into a smartwatch app prototype to enhance the safety and efficiency of forestry work in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington through increased situational awareness (SA) among workers on remote cable logging operations.
Health and Safety Solutions in Agriculture
New Online, On-Demand Courses
Safety Training & Tools for Managers & Health Educators
Offering information and tools to help agricultural safety managers and educators build and expand workplace safety training and programs. Each online course features practical resources, ready-to-use toolkits, and lessons learned developed by researchers and agricultural partners.
Determinants of Stress, Fatigue, and Injury Risk for Loggers and Log Truck Drivers
Loggers and log truck drivers are at high risk for fatigue and stress, due to long working hours and high job demands. Few studies have characterized the determinants of fatigue, risks, and solutions for this vital workforce.
Project Overview
Logging
The forestry sector is among the top ten manufacturing employers in the US, and yet logging work is among the three most dangerous.
Wildfires and Human Health
A Wildfires and Human Health working group led by a team of researchers at the University of Washington and The Nature Conservancy. Our purpose is to develop a consensus-driven, evidence-based approach to identify and communicate the human health and health equity implications of wildfires versus ecological restoration-focused forest management, including managed and prescribed burns in the Western U.S.
Systemic Evaluation of Exoskeletons in Reducing Musculoskeletal Disorders in Manual Timber Felling
This small pilot project assessed logging stakeholders’ interests in the use of exoskeletons to reduce musculoskeletal injuries. Due to COVID-19, this needs assessment was conducted through an online survey of Northwest logging workers, safety managers, and educators in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington.
Our survey demonstrates that the NW forestry industry is generally very interested in exoskeleton technologies and is willing to adopt exoskeletons should it be proven to be effective and safe in various logging environments.
Use of Unexpected Events and Management Requiring Conditions in the Training and Management of Loggers
This pilot project is developing a novel system, with a simulated environment, where workers identify potential safety concerns and assign a severity rating to the safety concerns. This system will uncover factors in risk decision making for new logging workers, informing future safety training programs.
Due to COVID-19, we had to modify the project’s approach to the simulated scenarios. This challenge led to a creative engagement format that now allows for broader participation.