Downstream log processing is poorly developed in Uganda, mainly dominated by many small-scale informal sawmills. Timber processing can be a hazardous occupation, with hazards from the use of machinery, handling heavy materials, working at heights and exposure to dust, noise and chemicals, potentially harmful events can happen at any time. Such occupational health risks are expected to be higher in developing countries than in the industrialized countries, mainly due to socioeconomic and political differences. Small-scale sawmillers are usually mainly focused on remaining profitable, and other considerations, such as safety, are not high priority. This report provides expert advice and technical assistance to support forestry officials, sawmill managers and supervisors to acquire skills and knowledge in downstream processing and utilization. It features elements such as hazard identification exercises for wood processing industries in Uganda and identifying hazard reduction measures in wood processing industries. The report focusses on the development of an occupational health and safety strategy for downstream processing in Uganda, with a specific focus on pine sawmilling, as per the focus of the SPGS programme.

Provides guidance to sawmill owners, managers and others on how they can improve health and safety standards. Content: Managing health and safety; Training; Safeguarding machinery; Mechanised sawmilling lines; Workplace design and building maintenance; Safe use of transport; Stacking; Slinging/lifting; Controlling hazardous substances; Noise; Electricity; Welfare.

The present working paper is primarily intended for producer organizations, trade unions, vocational training institutes, extensionists, instructors and relevant public bodies.The document addresses the forest as a work place, safety culture, workplace assessment, accident prevention and management, child labour, gender issues and selected health and safety issues. Reliable statistics on accident and fatality rates in forestry are missing, data available however indicates that forestry is a high-risk occupation. Workplace conditions in forestry are a function of site conditions, climate, weather, terrain and tree characteristics. The fundamentals of accident prevention are reduced hazard exposure and worker safety training. The first is achieved through risk assessments to identify hazards. Workers should be prepared for accidents at all times. Accident analysis is done to identify what occurred, the causes of the accident and how similar accidents might be avoided in future. Child labour is a human-rights issue and relevant to occupational safety and health. Reliable data on child labour in forestry is almost completely absent. Women in forestry can be exposed more often than men to musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory diseases and reproductive disorders due to chemical exposure. Women generally have a working capacity one-third lower than men. Heat stress occurs when the body is unable to dissipate heat to its surroundings. Heat stroke is the most serious health risk posed by heat stress. Risks and hazards associated with NWFPs derive from activities like climbing, cutting with sharp tools, digging and gathering, picking, and long and/or heavy manual transport.

Fundamental principles of occupational health and safety, 2nd edition, is a practical guide to developing effective occupational safety and health (OSH) policies and programmes based on the provisions defined in the "core" ILO standards and instruments concerning OSH. It focuses on the key topics essential to promoting and managing national and enterprise OSH systems and presents a concise overview of the issues involved, together with specific guidelines for policy design, implementation and management at both national and enterprise levels. The operational aspects of meeting health and safety requirements are also covered, with detailed sections on legislation and enforcement, occupational health surveillance, and preventive and protective measures, as well as health education and training. This second edition has been fully revised and updated. It introduces new ILO instruments promoting OSH and new chemical safety information tools, and addresses OSH in the context of globalization and HIV/AIDS and the world of work. The annexes have also been revised to include checklists for preparing national OSH profiles and enterprise policies, selected excerpts from OSH instruments and up-to-date information sources. This book will be useful for legislators and labour inspectors, those involved in policy-making (governments, and employers' and workers' organizations) and those within enterprises who are concerned with the practical implementation of measures to promote and protect the safety and health of workers (managers, supervisors, workers' representatives), as well as academic institutions. Book jacket.

What Went Wrong? 6th Edition provides a complete analysis of the design, operational, and management causes of process plant accidents and disasters. Co-author Paul Amyotte has built on Trevor Kletz's legacy by incorporating questions and personal exercises at the end of each major book section. Case histories illustrate what went wrong and why it went wrong, and then guide readers in how to avoid similar tragedies and learn without having to experience the loss incurred by others. Updated throughout and expanded, this sixth edition is the ultimate resource of experienced-based analysis and guidance for safety and loss prevention professionals. - 20% new material and updating of existing content with parts A and B now combined - Exposition of topical concepts including Natech events, process security, warning signs, and domino effects - New case histories and lessons learned drawn from other industries and applications such as laboratories, pilot plants, bioprocess plants, and electronics manufacturing facilities