African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6900

Full Length Research Paper

Health problems and conditions of the forestry workers in Turkey

Sezgin ÖZDEN1, Ilknur  NAYIR2, Ceyhun GÖL3*, Semih EDIÅž3 and Hüseyin YILMAZ3
  1Forest Economics Department, Faculty of Forestry, Cankırı Karatekin University, Turkey. 2Public Health Department, Health School, Cankırı Karatekin University, Turkey. 3Watershed Management Department, Faculty of Forestry, Cankırı Karatekin University, Turkey.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 26 June 2011
  •  Published: 19 November 2011

Abstract

 

The first phase of supplying forest products to the producer is comprised of the production activities performed in the forests. As these activities are hard and difficult works carried out in forests, occupational accidents and safety usually remain current issues. Since the topographic structure in most of the forests in Turkey are not suitable for working with machines, forestry works are mostly performed in a labour-intensive way. The purpose of this study is to examine the working conditions of seasonal workers employed in forestry activities, their attitudes regarding accidents and safety, and the measures taken. On the other hand, the problems women experience regarding forestry works and their expectations of their daily life spaces was also examined. The study was carried out in Provincial Department of Forestry of Cankırı. All the people who participated in the study came from different cities as seasonal workers and had poor working and living conditions.

 

Key words: Forestry workers, accident, occupational safety, Cankırı, Turkey.