Hope in OHS training: 90 Turkish forestry workers enhance safety amid rising forestry fatalities
The BWI-affiliated Civil Servants’ Union of Agriculture, Forestry, Husbandry and Environment Sectors (TARIM ORMAN-IS) has recently carried out its occupational health and safety training for forest rangers and workers amid rising worker fatalities in the country's forestry sector. Participated by a total of 92 forest workers, including 15 young workers with ages below 35, the union has conducted an outdoor OHS training on 29 June 2024 in Inegol.
Carrying the theme “OHS is a fundamental right,” the trainings increased awareness on the health and safety risks in the forestry sector and the mitigation measures needed to be employed on occurred risks brought about by COVID-19.
Union leaders maximised the trainings by listening to the demands of rural workers such as decent work, safe and healthy working conditions and social security benefits.
The workers also complained that they need to work excessively long hours to earn livable incomes. They said that this exposed them to greater health risks, such as serious work exhaustion. According to the union, in the first half of 2024 alone, more than 150 forestry workers have already lost their lives.
Meanwhile, TARIM ORMAN-IS President Sukru Durmus vowed to continue raising awareness on the risks of overtime work which cause exhaustion and increase number of deadly car accidents in the forestry sector. The union president, talking to the media and streaming online, warned the General Directorate of Forestry not to force forest rangers and workers to work long hours and to drive afterwards.
The Turkish forestry sector has the highest fatal incident rate with an average of 600 workers dying each year.