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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Aerobic capacity of forestry workers and physical demands of forestry operations.

The present study aimed at evaluating the aerobic capacities of forestry workers and the physical demands of their occupation. A submaximal cycle ergometer test was conducted on 22 male forestry workers and 15 male sedentary office workers aged 40-59 years. The slope of the regression line of heart rates on given exercise intensities was significantly smaller in the forestry workers than in the office workers. The mean heart rate of the forestry workers was 9 beats.min-1 less than that of the office workers at the initial exercise intensity of 50 W. This difference increased to 25 beats.min-1 at 175 W. For 6 of the 22 forestry workers, heart rates were recorded continuously during a usual workday. The metabolic rates, as multiples of basal metabolic rate (in met) of various forestry activities were estimated from the average heart rate during the activity of interest and a predicted maximal oxygen consumption of the subject obtained from a submaximal cycle ergometer test. The mean energy expenditure was 4.5 met with a range of 3.3-6.3 met for an average of 509 min at a worksite. These results indicated that the forestry workers had high aerobic capacities and this was ascribed to the high physical demands of their occupation.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

From management to mediation: local forestry management and the forestry crisis in post-socialist Russia.

The local branches of the Russian Forestry Service, the leskhozy, were known for their efficiency and management skills in the Soviet era and were one of the very few community-based "Soviet-type" institutions to survive the transition. This article examines the role of the leskhozy in the new market economy. Our analysis is based on data from interviews with informants attached to the forestry sector in the Murmansk area. In some cases their knowledge of the leskhozy stretches back to the emergence of the system in 1947. Our principal finding is that the struggle to survive as a federal body in the current legal and economic climate is forcing the leskhozy to relegate sustainable forestry management, presumably their primary raison d'être, to the lower portions of their list of priorities. Several consequences result. There is a heightened incidence of illegal logging, and corruption informs the allocation of forest areas to private interests. Stumpage prices have plummeted as timber from subsidized commercial cutting (ostensibly sanitary cutting or thinning) has flooded the markets. The root cause of these tribulations lies with the market-based harvesting permit system. Its introduction in the 1990s did little to eliminate the self-seeking practices of the old Soviet forestry management hierarchies. In the free market, local forestry managers can turn their dual responsibilities to their own advantage inasmuch as they control the allocation of harvesting permits while at the same time controlling logging practices.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMed1993

One year follow-up study to assess the prevalence and incidence of Lyme borreliosis among Dutch forestry workers.

A one-year serological and clinical follow-up study was conducted to assess the prevalence and incidence of asymptomatic and symptomatic infection with Borrelia burgdorferi among 151 Dutch forestry workers. The prevalence of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi among the forestry workers and among office employees as control group was compared. Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi were detected by enzyme immunoassay. Forestry workers were examined physically at the start of the study. Clinical follow-up of forestry workers whose first blood sample was positive and of persons showing seroconversion was done by telephone interview. If Lyme borreliosis was suspected, clinical and laboratory data were obtained. The seroprevalence was significantly higher among forestry workers (28%) than among controls (5%). Of 127 forestry workers who were examined, 7 (18%) of the 39 seropositive persons but none of the seronegative persons had a history of Lyme borreliosis. None of 32 asymptomatic seropositive forestry workers had developed Lyme borreliosis one year later. The incidence of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi as demonstrated by seroconversion among 95 initially seronegative forestry workers was 5%. None of them had Lyme borreliosis. Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi among forestry workers is frequent but seems to take a benign course.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Lyme borreliosis in Dutch forestry workers.

Serum samples from 127 Dutch forestry workers and 127 matched controls were tested for antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Those of the forestry workers were also tested by Western blotting. The forestry workers were examined clinically for evidence of Lyme borreliosis without the examiner or the workers knowing the results of the laboratory tests. Seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi antibodies among forestry workers (25/127) was significantly higher than among controls matched for age and place of residence (8/127), odds ratio 3.7 (95% CI 1.5-9.7). Of the 25 sera of forestry workers positive in the IFA, 23 reacted with at least five bacterial polypeptides in the Western blot test. According to adapted CDC criteria, seven forestry workers (6%) were classified as being a case of Lyme borreliosis. In only one of them had the diagnosis been made before this investigation. Five persons had a history of erythema migrans, one of arthritis, and one of persistent infection. We conclude that Lyme borreliosis is an occupational disease among forestry workers in the Netherlands, with a three-fold higher seroprevalence than among matched controls. The disease, often not diagnosed among this high-risk group, warrants more attention to achieve early recognition and to prevent late complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Dose-response relation for vascular disorders induced by vibration in the fingers of forestry workers.

OBJECTIVES: To study the relation between the prevalence of vascular disorders (white finger) and vibration exposure in a group of 222 forestry workers, of whom 164 (73.9%) had work experience limited to antivibration (AV) chain saws only and 58 (26.1%) had operated both non-AV and AV chain saws. METHODS: The chain saw operators and 195 control workers never exposed to hand transmitted vibration were interviewed with health and workplace assessment questionnaires. The diagnosis of vibration induced white finger (VWF) was made on the basis of subjective symptoms of finger blanching and the results of a cold test with plethysmographic measurement of systolic blood pressure of the finger. Vibration was measured on a representative sample of AV and non-AV chain saws. Daily vibration exposure was assessed as eight hour energy equivalent frequency weighted acceleration (A(8)). A lifetime vibration dose was estimated for each of the forestry workers. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of VWF among the forestry workers was 23.4%. The diagnosis of VWF was made in 13.4% of the forestry workers who handled only AV chain saws and in 51.7% of those who had also operated non-AV chain saws in the past. Raynaud's phenomenon was found in 2.6% of the controls. In the forestry workers, the risk for VWF showed positive increments with each increment of vibration dose, suggesting a monotonic dose-response relation. The responsiveness to cold in the digital arteries of the forestry workers was also found to increase with increasing vibration dose and severity of VWF. The estimated relation between VWF and vibration exposure showed that the expected prevalence of VWF increased almost linearly to either A(8) (with exposure duration unchanged) or the number of years of exposure (with equivalent acceleration unchanged). CONCLUSIONS: In this study of VWF among forestry workers, the estimated dose-response relation showed that if the magnitude of vibration acceleration is doubled, the total duration of exposure should be halved to produce an equivalent effect. On the basis of the assessment of vibration exposure, the estimated risk for VWF in the study population was found to be lower than that predicted by the international standard ISO 5349. These findings suggest a revision of the risk estimates for VWF currently provided by ISO 5349.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1998

Seroepidemiologic study on tick-borne encephalitis among forestry workers and farmers from the Lublin region (eastern Poland).

The paper presents the results of seroepidemiologic studies concerning tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in 1,583 persons (1,261 forestry workers and 233 farmers) from the Lublin region (eastern Poland) occupationally exposed to ticks and in 130 healthy blood donors (a control group). The mean percentage of seropositive reactions in forestry workers amounted to 19.8% and in farmers 32.0%. Based on 5-year research (1994-1998) conducted in 5 districts of the Lublin region, the existence of endemic foci of TBE was detected in the district of Bia a Podlaska, on the areas of Radzyń Podlaski and Parczew, where the percentage of seropositive reactions in forestry workers exceeded 50%. Statistical analysis showed that the frequency of seropositive reactions in forestry workers and farmers was significantly greater compared to control group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). It indicates that these groups are occupationally exposed to TBE virus. In the years 1994-98, a total of nine clinical cases of TBE (acute neuroinfection) in forestry workers and fourteen clinical cases in farmers were confirmed serologically. The effectiveness of specific immunization against TBE was proved on the basis of 100% seroconversion in 56 earlier seronegative forestry workers. The obtained results proved that forestry workers and farmers in Poland are under increased risk of infection with TBE virus.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Occupational musculoskeletal disorders in the neck and upper limbs of forestry workers exposed to hand-arm vibration.

An epidemiologic and clinical study of neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders was carried out on 65 vibration-exposed forestry operators using chain-saws and 31 comparable control subjects (maintenance workers) performing manual activity and not exposed to vibration. Upper limb function was evaluated by measuring finger and wrist circumference size, maximal hand grip strength and range of motion manoeuvres in both the controls and the exposed workers. Vibration from two chain-saws was measured, and vibration exposure for each forestry worker was assessed in terms of 4 h energy-equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration according to ISO 5349. Job analysis indicated a slight excess risk of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) in the forestry operators compared with the control workers. After adjustment for age and body constitution, significantly higher prevalence rates of persistent upper limb pain, muscle-tendon syndromes and carpal tunnel syndrome were observed among the forestry workers than among the controls. In the forestry operators, the occurrence of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders increased with increasing vibration exposure. Upper limb function was found to be impaired in the forestry workers compared with the controls. Vibration exposure was significantly related to increased finger circumference size, diminished muscle force and reduced joint function. Even though it is difficult to establish the relative importance of vibration and ergonomic factors in the aetiology of CTDs, nevertheless the results of this study indicate that musculoskeletal impairment to the upper limbs was more severe in the forestry operators than in the controls who did solely manual work. This finding and the observed dose-effect relationships suggest that vibration stress is an important contributor to the development of musculoskeletal disorders in workers using hand-held vibrating tools.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Forestry workers exposed to vibration: a neurological study.

Neurological findings were examined in 186 forestry workers with a mean exposure to chain saw vibration of 16.6 hours. The prevalence of active vibration induced white fingers was 5%, parethaesias of the hands 53%, and muscle weakness 13%. Clinical polyneuropathy was observed in 16 forestry workers in the hands (7.5%) which did not correlate with alcohol consumption. Seventy nine forestry workers of the total population were selected for electromyographic examination. Generalised EMG based polyneuropathy in the hands was observed in only two of the 79 forestry workers (2.5%). The carpal tunnel syndrome was found in 20 of the 79 forestry workers (26%). Headache and vertigo were not linked with exposure to vibration in forestry and a significant part of the numbness reported may be due to the carpal tunnel syndrome. Sensorimotor polyneuropathy is rare among forestry workers. The rise in the vibration detection thresholds was linked to the carpal tunnel syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Exposure-response relationship for vibration-induced white finger among forestry workers.

The relation between the occurrence of white finger and vibration exposure was investigated in a group of 222 forestry workers using chain saws. The forestry workers and 195 controls never exposed to hand-transmitted vibration were interviewed by occupational health physicians. The diagnosis of vibration-induced white finger (VWF) was made on the basis of subjective symptoms of finger blanching and the results of a cold test with plethysmographic measurement of finger systolic blood pressure. Vibration was measured on a representative sample of AV and non-AV chain saws. Daily vibration exposure was assessed in terms of 8 h energy-equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration [A(8)]. A lifetime vibration dose was estimated for each of the forestry workers. The overall prevalence of VWF among the forestry workers was 23.4%. Raynaud's phenomenon was discovered in 2.6% of the controls. In the forestry workers, the risk of VWF showed positive increments with each increment of vibration dose, suggesting a monotonic dose-response relationship. The responsiveness to cold in the digital arteries of the forestry workers was also found to increase with increasing vibration dose. The estimated relation between VWF and vibration exposure showed that the expected occurrence of VWF increased in approximately linear proportion to either A(8) (with exposure duration unchanged) or the number of years of exposure (with equivalent acceleration unchanged). In this study of VWF among forestry workers the estimated exposure-response relation showed that if the magnitude of vibration acceleration is doubled, the total duration of exposure should be halved to produce an equivalent effect. On the basis of the assessment of vibration exposure, the estimated risk for VWF in the study population was found to be lower than that predicted by the International Standard ISO 5349. The results of this study tend to support the vibration exposure levels currently under discussion within the European Union.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Clinical and immunologic surveys of Hymenoptera hypersensitivity in Japanese forestry workers.

BACKGROUND: The increased incidence of bee-sting allergy among beekeepers is well known, whereas Hymenoptera hypersensitivity among forestry workers, who are frequently stung by Hymenoptera, is not well understood. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the nature of Hymenoptera hypersensitivity among forestry workers and analyze the mechanism involved in Hymenoptera-induced systemic reactions. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered and yellow jacket venom-specific IgE antibody titers measured in 323 forestry workers and 100 age-matched office workers with little occupational exposure to Hymenoptera stings as a control group. RESULTS: From the questionnaire it was found that the percentage of systemic reactions to Hymenoptera stings was significantly greater in the forestry workers than in the control subjects (P < .01). The number of sting exposures was significantly higher in the forestry workers than in the control subjects (P < .01) and was closely correlated with episodes of systemic reaction. Yellow jacket venom-specific IgE antibody titers were significantly higher in forestry workers with episodes of systemic reaction compared with those with only local or large local reactions to Hymenoptera (P < .05), although more than half of these subjects had undetectable IgE antibody titers to yellow jacket venom. IgE antibody titers against yellow jacket venom were closely correlated with those of paper wasp (rs = .802, P < .001), which is another frequent source of Hymenoptera stings. In workers with episodes of sting exposure within the most recent 3 years, the period from the last sting was not correlated with yellow jacket venom-specific IgE antibody titers. CONCLUSIONS: The number of sting exposures may contribute to systemic reactions to Hymenoptera sting, and some mechanism other than IgE mediated hypersensitivity may also be involved in Hymenoptera-induced systemic reactions.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Vibration-induced multifocal neuropathy in forestry workers: electrophysiological findings in relation to vibration exposure and finger circulation.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate neural conduction in the upper limbs of symptomatic forestry workers with and without exposure to hand-transmitted vibration. A further aim was to assess the possible relationships between vibration exposure, nerve conduction and finger circulation in the forestry workers who used chain saws. METHODS: A detailed neurophysiological investigation was performed on the upper extremities of 20 chain saw workers, 20 forestry operators with heavy manual work but without vibration exposure, and 20 healthy male controls. All subjects were screened to exclude polyneuropathy. Measurements of sensory and motor nerve conduction (velocity and amplitude) were obtained bilaterally from the median, ulnar and radial nerves. To assess peripheral vascular function, the forestry workers underwent a cold test with plethysmographic measurement of finger systolic blood pressure (FSBP). In the chain saw operators, vibration exposure was evaluated according to the International Standard ISO 5349. Indices of daily vibration exposure and lifetime cumulative vibration dose were estimated for each chain saw operator. RESULTS: Sensory nerve conduction in several segments of the median and radial nerves was significantly reduced in the chain saw operators compared with that in the workers doing heavy manual work and the controls. The neurophysiological pattern more frequently observed in the chain saw operators was a multifocal nerve conduction impairment to several neural segments with predominant involvement of sensory rather than motor fibres. Sensory nerve conduction velocities in the hands of the chain saw operators were inversely related to both daily and lifetime cumulative vibration exposures. In the vibration-exposed forestry workers, neither were sensori-motor complaints associated with vascular symptoms (finger whiteness) nor were electrophysiological data related to cold-induced changes in FSBP. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to hand-transmitted vibration, in addition to ergonomic stress factors, can contribute to peripheral nerve disorders occurring in forestry workers who operate chain saws. The findings of this study suggest the existence of an exposure-effect relationship for vibration-induced neuropathy. Different underlying mechanisms are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of the neurological and vascular components of the hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Order defining the jurisdiction of the forestry guard, 30 December 1987.

This Order defines the jurisdiction of the Haitian forestry guard in order better to protect the State's hydrographic basins and national forest resources. It provides that the forestry guard is to have the following functions: 1) to oversee in general the application of forestry legislation; 2) to stop all forms of agricultural or forestry exploitation that harm state lands; 3) to confiscate all illicitly exploited forestry resources; 4) to inspect regularly the parts of the forest or parks assigned to its care; and 5) to control the circulation of wood and wood products, documents, and freight. In collaboration with other interested state agencies, the forestry guard is also to prevent forest fires and promote the natural and man-made generation of the forest.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1993

Time trends in mortality in forestry and construction workers in Finland 1970-85 and impact of adjustment for socioeconomic variables.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed firstly to describe the development of cause-specific mortality in forestry workers, farmer/forestry workers, and skilled and semiskilled construction workers between 1970 and 1985 in Finland, and to compare this with mortality in the total working male population. The second aim was to evaluate how well the cause-specific mortality differences between the occupations could be explained by differences in socioeconomic status, marital status, or in the region of residence. DESIGN AND SETTING: This is a follow up study based on the 1970, 1975, and 1980 census records in Finland linked with all death certificates for 1971-75, 1976-80, and 1981-85 respectively. Log-linear regression analysis was used. SUBJECTS: All economically active men in Finland aged between 35 and 64 years in 1971-85 were studied. The number of person-years in the period totals about 10 million. MAIN RESULTS: Semiskilled construction workers had the highest mortality rate almost independent of the cause of death. The mortality of forestry workers was the second highest. Compared with the reference population, however, the differences were small with regard to neoplasms and cardiovascular diseases. With regard to other diseases, only the mortality of semiskilled workers was fairly high. Differences in mortality as a result of accidents were the highest. Both suicide and accidental death rates were high in semi-skilled construction workers and forestry workers. During the study total mortality fell by about 30% but mortality differences between groups did not decline. CONCLUSIONS: The high mortality of forestry and semiskilled construction workers is partly explained by socioeconomic factors such as marital status and housing conditions. These factors do not, however, explain the high suicide and accident mortality rates of forestry workers or semiskilled construction workers. More research is needed to explain these findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Law No. 47/1988 relative to organization of the forestry regime, 5 December 1988.

This Law sets forth the forestry regime of Rwanda. It establishes a 10-year national forestry plan and 10-year forestry plans for each commune. All plans are to contain reforestation programs, among other things. The Law also creates a Forestry Service to manage and oversee the protection of the forest and a Forestry Fund, part of the receipts of which are to be used for reforestation. Provisions of the Law relating to the cutting of trees and other forest products require a permit for cutting on more than two hectares of land for other than familial use and levy a 1% fee on cut products. A permit is also required to clear land, and a request for such a permit is to be refused under a wide variety of circumstances relating to conservation of soil, water resources, natural forest, and the natural equilibrium of a region, among other things. Moreover, a permit for clearing is to be contingent on the beneficiary's reforesting an equivalent amount of land, subject to the availability of such land. The Law also requires all persons to take measures to protect the forest by establishing fire-breaks, using or destroying sick trees, and avoiding starting fires near wooded areas. In addition, holders of land rights, tenants, and occupiers are required to plant and maintain a number of trees to be determined later by the competent ministry, which is to furnish plants each year. This obligation is not to result in a reduction of the amount of land that can be cultivated. The Law sets penalties for persons who violate its provisions, including fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of forest products.

Africa↗
PubMed1996

Seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis in forestry workers from Brandenburg, Germany.

In 1992 blood samples were taken from 630 forestry workers in the state of Brandenburg, Germany, and an inquiry about tick bites and possible symptoms of Lyme borreliosis carried out in order to determine the seroprevalence of the disease. To estimate the rate of seroconversion within six months, 406 of the individuals were investigated a second time. IgG and IgM antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi were detected in serum using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and an immunoblot assay (IBA). Fifty-three percent of the forestry workers reported suffering a tick bite, 8% of whom recalled an erythema after the bite. Positive results were found more frequently in the forestry workers than in a control group of 200 healthy blood donors in both the IgG-IFA (8% vs. 4%, p < 0.05) and the IgG-IBA (18% vs. 5%, p < 0.05). The detection of IgG antibodies correlated with a tick bite and erythema history. There was a tendency of lower seropositivity by the IgG-IBA in individuals who treated the ticks before removal with chemicals or other agents compared to those without such treatment (16.8% vs. 23.9%, 0.05 > p < 0.1). Likewise, there was a tendency of lower seropositivity by the IgG-IFA in individuals being treated with antibiotics for other reasons compared to untreated individuals (3.15% vs. 8.9%, p < 0.05), although the two groups did not differ in the IgG-IBA (13.8% vs. 18.5%, p > 0.1). The rate of seroconversion within six months ranged from 5 to 7%. It is concluded that forestry workers in Brandenburg, Germany, are at risk for infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, but clinical signs of infection are rare.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Forestry Law and the conservation of natural areas and wildlife].

The Forest Law of Ecuador consists of 107 articles, whereas its regulations contain 269 articles. They are related to forestry resources, forestry patrimony protection, forests and vegetation, forest production and benefits, the control and mobilization of the forestry resources, research and capacitation, and the forestry industry protection; to natural areas, wild flora and fauna, their patrimony, conservation, and economic support; and to the violation of the law and its judgment.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Antibody response to OspC-I synthetic peptide derived from outer surface protein C of Borrelia burgdorferi in sera from Japanese forestry workers.

The prevalence of antibodies against Lyme disease spirochaetes in serum samples from 80 forestry workers at high occupational risk of Lyme disease was surveyed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the OspC-I synthetic peptide. The peptide is part of the outer surface protein C (OspC) amino acid sequence located in the region conserved among Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto or sensu lato. Positivity for antibodies against OspC-I was observed in 25 (313%) of the forestry workers. Of these positive cases, 12 (15.0%) and 19 (23.8%) were positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibody, respectively. Among 62 workers who were negative for IgG antibody against B. garinii or B. japonica in our previous study, 9 (14.5%) and 4 (6.5%) were positive for IgM and IgG antibody, respectively, in OspC-I ELISA. These results demonstrate for the first time that Lyme disease in forestry workers can be revealed using OspC-I ELISA. We conclude that forestry workers who show positive results for antibodies against OspC-I have very likely been exposed to Lyme disease spirochaetes, and that those who show positivity for IgM antibody against OspC-I may be in the early stage of Lyme disease.

Adolescent↗