Forestry workers manage natural and commercial woodland across the UK. Felling operations, recognised to be among the most hazardous of forestry tasks, involve the controlled cutting and extraction of trees using a combination of manual and mechanised methods. Forestry and Land Scotland emphasise the dangers of this work, reporting that forestry workers are injured and killed every year.

Chainsaw workers in particular have a very high-risk role, and one which is physically and technically demanding. Their role includes a wide range of hazards and involves working with dangerous trees (including diseased or windblow trees), working on steep or uneven terrain and with high-power machinery. Mechanised systems, including harvesters, forwarders, and winch-based extraction methods, help improve efficiency and reduce the need for manual felling in many environments. These systems are carefully coordinated to ensure safe and sustainable harvesting while minimising environmental impact.

The aim of this research is to explore the critical non-technical skills required for safe work within the context of forestry as well as the key performance influencing factors which may hinder or support these skills. This is a new collaboration with Forestry and Land Scotland and will encompass a three-year program of research via a new SGSSS Collaborative PhD studentship (2022) with Sofia Johansson. Thus far the research includes the following studies:

• Exploratory interview study with chainsaw operators, supervisors and managers to determine the key non-technical skills necessary for safe and effective chainsaw operations.
• Qualitative analysis focused on situation awareness to assess the key situation awareness requirements and influencing factors for chainsaw workers.
• Mixed methods analysis of fatigue within Forestry and Land Scotland.
• Qualitative analysis of forestry incident reports.

The next stage of the research will include interviews with harvester- forwarder- and skyline winch operators and the development of a preliminary forestry specific non-technical skills framework and behavioural marker system.

If you would like to discuss this research further contact Dr Irwin (a.irwin@abdn.ac.uk) or Sofia Johansson (s.johansson.22@abdn.ac.uk).