Playing it safe: first aid and occupational safety in forestry
Serious injuries are not uncommon in forestry:According to the SVLFG, there were over 5,000 reportable accidents in forests in Germany in 2024 alone. This makes one thing more than clear: There is a high risk potential associated with many forest operations. As a result, occupational safety and first aid is a prominent topic at INTERFORST, addressing issues that highlight how “protection forest” applies to forest workers, too.
Forestry work can be dangerous, but there are broad capabilities to prevent accidents and ensure greater safety in the forest. These include forest protection vehicles and machines that make heavy physical and risky work such as timber harvesting easier and help forest workers specifically during felling; protective equipment also includes forest protective clothing and clothing with cut protection such as personal protective equipment (PPE).
What is the best way to implement occupational safety in the forest? What training is recommended for first aid in the forest? What is the latest in forest protective clothing? You can find answers to these and other questions relating to occupational safety at INTERFORST.
Forest protective clothing, personal protective equipment, protective and work clothing
Personal protective equipment is essential for safe and healthy working in the forest—especially for demanding tasks such as working with chainsaws. Helmets with face and hearing protection, protective gloves, cut-resistant pants, and safety shoes are indispensable basic equipment in forestry. Today, modern PPE makes a decisive contribution to accident prevention and employee protection.
At INTERFORST, renowned exhibitors from the field of personal protective equipment will present their latest solutions – from tried-and-tested classics to innovative developments that optimally combine protection, comfort, and functionality. The trade fair thus offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of occupational safety in forestry.
Personnel vehicles, accessories, sanitary and hygiene equipment for forestry operations
Sturdy personnel vehicles play a significant role in creating optimal working conditions and procedures.
They are used to store small tools and equipment, can be outfitted as required with sanitary and hygiene equipment such as toilets and showers, and can be equipped with wood or gas stoves and seating. Regardless of its equipment, the personnel vehicle must meet two criteria: weather resistance and burglary protection.
First aid in forestry, rescue and emergency
The fact is: Despite all the precautions and protective clothing, accidents cannot always be prevented. Those situations call for fast and competent first aid to save lives, when necessary, even without on-site emergency services. First aid courses and regular training on proper procedures in emergencies should therefore be standard for forest workers. This also includes knowledge about the working environment and rescue routes.
Just as critical: a functioning rescue chain that begins with an immediate emergency call and first aid procedures. Because reception in forests is often poor, special communication and emergency call systems are used. To ensure that the rescue chain runs smoothly, heavy forest operations should include at least three people who are in visual and/or audible contact with each other at all times. Special radios and headsets assist with this.