ABSTRACT

This chapter aims to illustrate the wide range of human factors test issues and methodologies employed in forestry operations. Heavy-goods vehicles are used to transport logs from the forest to processing centers, ports, and other destinations. The high accident incidence for log trucks involved in this process, particularly rollovers, is a major problem for the New Zealand forest industry. Changes in theoretical perspectives on safety management and an increasing move to mechanization with its associated changes in working conditions within the forest industry have led to a refocusing of human factors research attention to macrosystem considerations, notably the organization of work, management practices, and leadership styles. There are a number of major stages in New Zealand forestry operations, each of which involve people and human factors and ergonomics testing issues that have a significant potential to effect the ultimate value of the seedling.