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improving productivity and operational efficiency. However, despite increasing levels of mechanization, transport-related activities such as log extraction, uphill hauling, load stabilization, and auxiliary water transport continue to expose workers to significant ergonomic and safety risks. Challenging terrain conditions, whole-body vibration, repetitive movements, awkward postures, and time pressure contribute to musculoskeletal disorders and long-term occupational health problems in forestry operations.
This study proposes an expert-based ergonomic risk evaluation framework for mechanized forestry transport activities. Rather than relying solely on accident statistics or large-scale datasets, the research emphasizes structured expert judgment and systematic risk scoring to identify and prioritize critical ergonomic hazards in field operations.
In the first stage, a panel of forestry engineers, machine operators, and occupational health and safety specialists was consulted to identify key ergonomic risk factors. These factors included posture load, repetition frequency, manual force exertion, vibration exposure, slope gradient, task duration, and environmental constraints. A structured evaluation form was developed based on these parameters.
In the second stage, ergonomic risks were assessed using the Hazard Rating Numbering System (HRNS). Each transport task was evaluated in terms of severity, exposure frequency, and probability. Risk scores were calculated and classified into risk categories (low, medium, high, and very high). This approach enabled systematic prioritization of transport-related activities under mechanized forestry conditions.
The findings indicate that tasks performed on steep slopes, repetitive hose handling in water transport, and manual-assisted log stabilization present the highest ergonomic risk levels. Whole-body vibration and prolonged static postures were identified as critical contributing factors. Expert consensus emphasized the need for ergonomic redesign of operator cabins, improved vibration damping systems, better task rotation planning, and slope-adaptive operational planning.
The proposed framework provides a practical and implementable decision-support tool for forestry managers without requiring complex data infrastructure. From a forestry mechanization perspective, integrating structured expert judgment into risk assessment contributes to safer operational planning, reduction of musculoskeletal disorders, and sustainable workforce management.
This study highlights the importance of proactive ergonomic evaluation in mechanized forestry systems and demonstrates how expert-based assessment can support safety-oriented mechanization strategies in challenging field environments.
| Keywords | Forestry; Ergonomics; Risk; Safety |
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