A surreal illustration highlighting the hidden musculoskeletal risks for forestry workers using chainsaws.

Chainsaws and Your Back: Are Forestry Jobs Riskier Than You Think?

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research spotlights the hidden dangers of musculoskeletal disorders in forestry, urging better safety measures for those who keep our forests healthy."

Operating in the forestry sector often seems like a job surrounded by nature's beauty, but beneath the surface lies a significant risk: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). These disorders, affecting muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, and spinal discs, are becoming increasingly prevalent in Italy's primary sector, casting a shadow on the well-being of forestry professionals.

While the agricultural sector has seen advancements in WMSD risk assessment, the forestry sector lags, leaving a gap in understanding and addressing the specific ergonomic challenges faced by forestry workers. The similarity between the two sectors, however, provides an impetus to adapt and apply proven assessment methods to the unique demands of forestry operations.

This article dives into a study that explores the applicability of various ergonomic assessment approaches—OCRA checklist, RNLE equation, OWAS, and REBA—to evaluate the risk of WMSDs in forestry operations, particularly those involving chainsaw use. The goal? To identify the most dangerous activities and pave the way for better safety protocols.

Unmasking the Risks: How Forestry Work Takes a Toll

A surreal illustration highlighting the hidden musculoskeletal risks for forestry workers using chainsaws.

The study meticulously analyzed the ergonomic stressors present during cutting operations with chainsaws. Recognizing the demanding nature of these tasks, researchers filmed forestry workers in action, later scrutinizing the footage in a controlled office setting. This approach allowed for a detailed assessment of postures, movements, and potential risk factors associated with WMSDs.

Four distinct assessment methods were employed, each offering a unique perspective on the risks involved:

OCRA Checklist: Evaluates risks associated with repetitive and stressful movements, focusing on the upper limbs.
RNLE Equation: Assesses the risk of injuries related to manual load handling, crucial for understanding strain from lifting and moving equipment.
OWAS (Ovako Working-posture Analysing System): Detects potential injuries arising from incorrect postures during work activities.
REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment): Offers a comprehensive analysis of postures, considering various body segments and factors like load and movement frequency.

The data revealed a concerning trend: chainsaw operations frequently exceeded the acceptable risk levels for professional injuries, directly compromising the operator's safety. The study highlighted specific actions and postures that contribute most significantly to the risk of WMSDs, providing valuable insights for targeted intervention strategies.

Turning Research into Real-World Change

This research serves as a crucial call to action for the forestry industry. By highlighting the specific risks associated with chainsaw operations and other forestry tasks, it paves the way for developing targeted interventions to protect workers' health and well-being.

The study advocates for integrating ergonomic principles into forestry practices, including:

<ul> <li>Improved tool design: Optimizing chainsaw design to reduce vibration and awkward postures.</li> <li>Training programs: Educating workers on proper techniques for lifting, cutting, and maintaining safe postures.</li> <li>Work-rest schedules: Implementing adequate breaks to minimize fatigue and repetitive strain.</li> <li>Regular risk assessments: Conducting ongoing evaluations of workplace ergonomics to identify and address potential hazards.</li> </ul>

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4081/jae.2013.389, Alternate LINK

Title: Ergonomic Analysis For The Assessment Of The Risk Of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder In Forestry Operations

Subject: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Journal: Journal of Agricultural Engineering

Publisher: PAGEPress Publications

Authors: Raimondo Gallo, Fabrizio Mazzetto

Published: 2013-09-08

Everything You Need To Know

What are Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs), and why are they a concern in forestry?

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are injuries and disorders that affect the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, and spinal discs. In forestry, these disorders are a significant concern because of the physically demanding nature of the work, including repetitive motions, heavy lifting, and awkward postures, especially during chainsaw operations.

What specific ergonomic assessment methods, like OCRA checklist, RNLE equation, OWAS, and REBA, were used to evaluate risks, and what does each one measure?

The OCRA checklist focuses on evaluating risks associated with repetitive and stressful movements, specifically in the upper limbs. The RNLE equation assesses the risk of injuries related to manual load handling, such as lifting and moving heavy equipment. OWAS, or the Ovako Working-posture Analysing System, identifies potential injuries arising from incorrect postures during work activities. Lastly, REBA, or Rapid Entire Body Assessment, provides a comprehensive analysis of postures, considering various body segments, load, and movement frequency. By using these tools, a detailed picture of the ergonomic risks in forestry operations can be gathered.

How did the study analyze the ergonomic stressors involved in chainsaw operations to assess the risk of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs)?

The study used methods like the OCRA checklist, RNLE equation, OWAS, and REBA to carefully analyze video footage of forestry workers using chainsaws. By scrutinizing their postures, movements, and the forces they exerted, the researchers were able to identify specific actions and postures that contribute most to the risk of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). This level of detail is essential for pinpointing the most dangerous aspects of the job and developing effective safety measures.

What did the study find regarding the risk levels associated with chainsaw operations and their impact on forestry worker safety?

The study revealed that chainsaw operations frequently exceeded acceptable risk levels for professional injuries, putting the operator's safety at risk. This means that forestry workers are exposed to a high probability of developing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) due to the physical demands of the job and the lack of adequate ergonomic considerations. These findings underscore the urgency for implementing better safety protocols and ergonomic practices within the forestry sector to mitigate these risks and protect workers' health.

How does the forestry sector compare to the agricultural sector in terms of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WMSD) risk assessment, and what are the implications of these differences?

While advancements in Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WMSD) risk assessment have been made in the agricultural sector, the forestry sector lags behind. This gap highlights a need to adapt and apply proven assessment methods from agriculture to the unique challenges in forestry operations. Addressing this disparity is crucial for ensuring the well-being of forestry workers and for promoting sustainable practices within the industry.