Infortuni nei lavori forestali: analisi e valutazione sulla base della casistica registrata nella Provincia Autonoma di Trento per il periodo 2004-2013

Both in Italy and Europe a huge amount of injuries at work are recorded each year. These events include serious injuries and also fatalities. Forest operations are recognized as a dangerous work. In silvicultural activities, workers usually use several high-risk tools for wood extraction. Moreover, forest is a natural workplace that presents specific hazards that are hard to remove. Hence, it is very important to analyse the critical factors and to study new solutions to manage the risk of injuries through research activities. This study analyses the whole dataset of accidents in forest operations of the Province of Trento. Trento is one of the most important Italian areas for forestry, both for volumes of wood processed and for forestry tradition. Starting from the accident data collection forms, specific information were extracted and analysed. Type of accident, main factor that caused the event, days of prognosis, eventual permanent inability, site of the injury and potential liability of the operator, are some examples of the obtained information. The frequency index, the severity index, the type of accident in relation to the specific operation performed, the machines used during the accident, the body parts much more subject to injury, and the environmental conditions were the most important results. Specific results for the forest operations were obtained and may represent an important tool to improve the safety standards in the risk assessment procedures, in training programs and in the production of new machines and personal protection equipment.