Sixteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

The forestry sector is facing a number of challenges that impact of the sustainability of the workforce and the productivity of the system. This study discusses the relationship between the working conditions in the forestry sector and the workers. In addition, it examines strategies the Chilean forestry companies are using. Finally, it uses two examples to identify the consequences of the productivity of the system. The overall objective was to investigate the impact of working conditions on the workforce in the Chilean forestry sector and over the productivity of the system. The study involved data collection from 350 forestry workers, both Chilean forest companies and contract companies along with interviews with managers and experts in the areas of forestry, ergonomics, working conditions, and health and safety. The findings indicate that even though working conditions in the Chilean forestry sector have been improving, they continue to have a negative impact on workers in terms of occupational health (OH), market attractiveness, and ageing population. Strategies that forestry organizations have implemented are not enough to solve the problems mentioned. The strategies are focused on the prevention of accidents rather the OH problems and none of them pays attention to the wellbeing of the workforce and the development of resources - aspects the workers demand. Finally, due to the problem mentioned above, there is negative impact on the productivity of the systems, based on examples related to pruning and harvesting.