In developing countries, wood harvesting is a labor-intensive work, carried out under difficult terrain conditions
and using a heavy work material. This makes the harvest workers exposed to many hazards due to the
nature of their work or working environment. Wood harvesting activities are carried out by villagers who living
in areas near the forests. They are seasonal workers and do not have any health insurance related to wood
harvesting works or vocational training. This prevents the creation of a database about work accidents and
occupational diseases connected with wood harvesting. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between
work accidents and demographic characteristics of seasonal harvesting workers in the Northeast of Turkey.
In the scope of the study, a total of 97 male harvest workers were interviewed using the face-to-face method
in Trabzon and Giresun. Male workers’ demographic characteristics, work accidents during their professional
lives, and discomfort from harvesting works were determined. As a result, it was found that approximately
41% of the workers experienced work accidents. It was revealed that the accident rates had decreased related
to workers’ age and work experience in the past 5 years. It was also found that 18% of work accidents occurred
on Wednesdays and between 15.00 and 17.00. This may have been caused by the exhaustion due to working
all day. Considering the extent of the work done and the burden it carries, the duration of breaks should be
revised to prevent carelessness and fatigue in workers. To avoid injuries of the hands and feet, wood harvest
workers must use suitable work safety shoes and gloves resistant to cutting.
