Occupational HEALTH & safety in forest fires

In our country forestry practices consist of plantation operations, erosion check, afforestation operations, activities related to the production of raw material of wood, road construction activities, the protection and the maintenance of forests. In order to increase the work efficiency of the employees who take place in forestry activities, the current situation need to be determined using scientific methods. In terms of health problems and occupational safety, the working conditions of employees fighting against forest fires are in danger. Although occupational accidents and health problems occur in firefighting activities, unfortunately, adequate studies cannot be done on this subject. In order to protect the living in forest fires, following technical developments and adapting to them contributes in preventing the risks that can be encountered. In such cases tackling the risks by getting to the bottom of them must be the first priority. For a true protection, prevention culture brings the solution with itself. It is more appropriate to determine an effective prevention policy instead of trying to eliminate the results of dangers that may occur. On behalf of preventing occupational accidents caused by forest fires, the use of developing modelling and renewed practices instead of primitive forestry activities that have been applied for years, the use of personal protective equipments produced in accordance with today's technology of the fire workers have helped to reduce the accidents caused by forest fires and occupational safety to come to the forefront.