Risk Analysis in a Tropical Forest Wood Exploration and Processing System in Mato Grosso State, Brazil

Abstract

Forestry and logging activities in tropical regions are commonly carried out in inappropriate thermal conditions, due to the hot and humid climate, demanding from the worker high energy expenditure and physical effort. They often operate and handle machines and equipment that produce high levels of noise and vibration, and adopt postures that can be harmful to the body, given the constant lifting, handling and transport of loads above tolerable limits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the exposure of workers to risks in a rainforest harvesting and processing system in northern Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The study was conducted in two forest management areas and four processing industries. Occupational heat exposure was assessed and a qualitative analysis of noise and vibration was performed in the two study areas. Occupational exposure to heat was performed by determining the Wet Bulb Index and Globe Thermometer (IBUTG), while the qualitative analysis of noise and vibration was performed with the application of a Risk Analysis methodology. The results indicate that the values of the wet bulb index and globe thermometer (IBUTG), obtained every hour of the working day in the activities of the timber industry and wood processing, correspond to values above the tolerance limit, as standardized.  The condition most likely to be harmful to health was found in the exposure to noise by workers in the wood processing industry, especially in operations related to the logging stages, where the risk was categorized as intolerable. With respect to exposure to vibration, the risk was higher in chainsaw operations in logging. In this case, it was possible to qualitatively analyze which occupational exposure limit (OEL) would be exceeded when the machine was in operation, representing risks to workers’ health and safety. It is concluded that there is a need to adopt control measures, since the risk exposure levels were in a range that poses a risk to workers’ health.