Top 10 Health and Safety Risks in Silviculture Sector

The top 10 health and safety risks for the silviculture sector were identified by workers, supervisors, and employers who are subject matter experts in the silviculture industry during a risk assessment workshop in September 2023. Visit the forest products industry webpage for more health and safety research information. Related: Provincial Silviculture Risk Assessment Workshop Results.

Falling dead trees are top health and risk

1. Dead snag trees or branches, chicots, hang ups, spring poles in cutover falling on workers
2. Highway traffic incidents (especially those involving transport trucks)
3. Unsafe driving on forestry roads
4. Motor vehicle incidents
5. Strong winds: Standing trees falling on workers in the block
6. Heat stress leading to dehydration
7. ATV, wheel, and track machine incidents (rollover, loss of control, speed, collision, leaving roadway)
8. Wildlife encounters or attacks
9. Lack of emergency planning
10. Repetitive strain injuries