Forever, forest work has high -risk occupational positions and that is evidenced by being among the sectors with the highest incidence in international accidents. TO Despite the technology that has been incorporated, global accidents remains high. This implies a great responsibility for employers, workers and the state of promoting comprehensive practices to address this situation.
In Argentina – According to the data of the Superintendence of Occupational Risks (SRT) – the forestry sector went from being the activity with the highest indicator of incidence in occupational hazards (195/1000) in 2007 to reduce it to an average of around 68/1000 in recent years, similar to the country’s agricultural index. This result was achieved thanks to a systematic action that can be replicated.
A first step is to have safe work standards in dialogue between the employer, the worker and the state both internationally and local. Recently, the repertoire of ILO practical recommendations on safety and health at forest labor in whose elaboration participated in the Argentine Forest Association. This repertoire is the update of a previous one made in 1998. Having reference recommendations agreed in a tripartite dialogue within the framework of the ILO is of high value when giving a global reference in safe work. In Argentina, the SRT promoted the elaboration of a manual of good practices in Forest Occupational Security in the framework of a four -party social dialog They are adopted by employers and workers with the conviction that it is an advantage for all.
In the case of Argentina, it is observed that the adoption of good practices occurs more in the management of forest plantations than in that of native forests. Argentina has around 55 million hectares of native forests and 1.3 million forest plantations. About 90 % of the wood used in the industry comes from pine plantations, eucalyptus and poplars. Around half of the plantations are certified with the FSC and PEFC seals, of sustainable forest management while the certification of native forests is insignificant. Both FSC and PEFC take the ILO practices repertoire as a reference for their requirements in the axis linked to work, so certified companies are audited by an independent third in which they comply with the criteria indicated in this document. This has allowed rapid adoption of recommendations in all certified forest companies.
The major challenge was to translate these recommendations in a continuous training format and effective adoption by workers in the workplace. To do this, the implementation of the system of Certification of labor competencies of workers was fundamental. The competency approach requires the standardization of roles and the evaluation of workers in work. The system turns 180 degrees the form of traditional training, since part that knowledge is not found in teachers, but in the workplace. The elaboration of the standard implies interviews with experts in the role and observation of the task. Based on the standard, teaching and curricular materials are developed and instructors and teachers are formed. Therefore, create a bridge between the world of work and that of training, giving relevance and update to the continuous training system. A robust frame of 19 standards have been developed, evaluated more than 8,000 workers, formed more than 100 evaluators and strengthened the offer of continuous training with curricular designs, didactic materials, teacher training and strengthening of training institutions. In Argentina, forest workers have low levels of formal schooling. This recognition of their work experience not only improves their employability, but, said for themselves, they feel that they dignify the work they do. They are the same workers who request to be evaluated to see where they are and be able to achieve certification.
Made in dialogue with the Guild of Rural Workers and within the framework of a program of the Ministry of Labor of the Nation, the normalization of the roles incorporating personal security and work environment issues and the evaluation of workers in work situation to certify the competencies It was a break point to ensure the transfer of good practices to the effective work situation. This was accompanied by training of teachers and forest instructors by competencies, achieving update and relevance in continuous training.
However, international and national standards in job security and the continuous certification and training system are available, but not everyone adopts it, despite showing what serves to lower the accidents. “In this, what we have observed as fundamental for its adoption is the commitment from the highest authority of the company or forest producers to promote a strong culture of security in the company and its contractors. It is essential that the policy of the company in health and safety reach forest contractors, including in their contracts the health, safety and well -being standards that the company has for its own employees and, mainly, it is controlled that this is fulfilled.
In the case of AFOA partnership companies, they demand, for example, that 100% of contractor workers are certified by labor competencies, especially in the highest risk positions, such as chainsaws, phytosanitary applicators, prukers, fire combatants, among others. This is included in the service contract. Companies also ensure that their contractors have their formal employees and the law is fulfilled, in addition to security standards. When this is promoted by the leading companies in the sector (a leadership is always required that drives these measures and then others follow), there is a very fast transfer for best practices towards contractor companies and disseminates beyond those leading companies.
Now the great challenge: In Argentina, this has served and is effective only if the work is formal. The work linked to family activities and informal forest producers These practices are very difficult to adopt. The informal worker is invisible. They do not access training or competency certification, or management can be certified by stamps such as FSC or PEFC.
Therefore, labor security is directly related to formal work. To achieve safe work, simple formal employment systems should be promoted, adapted to the forest labor format- or the activity in question- and without disproportionate costs for the employer or for the worker. Initial step to be able to adopt the available tools- such as good practices and certification of workers- to ensure safe work. The forestry sector can show a successful experience in this regard and that can be replicated.
*Claudia Peirano is Executive Director of the Argentine Forest Association (AFOA)
By Claudia Peirano
