An application of risk management process in a forest product industry enterprise (a case study of plywood factory)

In recent years, the issue of occupational health and safety is very important for accession of the European Union and increasing cooperation among international companies in Turkey. In this study, risk assessment about occupational health and safety was performed as an example for forest industry enterprises. The aim of this study was to perform risk assessment using two different methods for work safety of a plywood factory, detecting dangerous situation for employees, machines and enterprises, and to ensure the adoption of appropriate measures. According to records of plywood factory, accidents occurred mostly in the storage-classification and press sections, 3 of the 8 accidents have been injured in 2014 and none of the accident was fatal. Risk analysis were carried out using L matrix and Fine Kinney methods in a large-scale factory that produces plywood by processing wood raw material according to observations, interviews, documents and records. The number of dangerous situations determined was 129 for 16 different working environments such as timber storage, drying and press. Detailed tables including solutions related with the risk factors in terms of occupational health and safety were presented. The number of "very high risk" eliminated was 32 and "high risk" was 25 by the Fine Kinney method, and the number of "significant risk" was reduced from 31 to 3 by applying corrective/preventive actions. The number of "high risk" eliminated was 53 by the L matrix method, and the number of "middle risk" was reduced from 70 to 22 by applying corrective/preventive actions. As a result of this research, the use of Fine Kinney method is more accurate, realistic and appropriate in order to determine and classify of the high risk factors and reduce acceptable level of risk scores. Finally, all risks caused by dangerous situation were analyzed by using two different methods, and the measures to be taken and suggestions were presented.