Use of Location-sharing to Increase Situational Awareness and Improve Occupational Safety in Operational Forestry

• Main Author: Wempe, Ann M
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2018
• Subjects: Forestry
• ISBN: 1085578283; 9781085578288

Situational awareness is imperative to maintaining safe workflow conditions on logging operations. Occupational injury and fatality risks are high for loggers, especially ground crew who work alongside highly mobile hazards like heavy machinery, or work in isolated conditions where injury response may be delayed. Situational awareness may be enhanced with location-sharing (LS) technology that allows users to send GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) coordinates to others, such as coworkers at a jobsite. To evaluate the potential success of LS to improve logging safety, we assessed a) device efficacy and accuracy through operational sampling and a controlled field experiment, and b) logger acceptance and adoption of LS technology through a survey of certified, Idaho loggers. First, using real-time, military-grade LS devices at three active logging operations, we were able to characterize rigging crew positions relative to three operational hazards. Ground crew spend approximately one third of the work day in potentially dangerous areas associated with machinery and equipment and about half of each day near snags. Simulated GNSS error associated with mature stands significantly impacted definitions of safe work distances, however, indicating a need for caution when using LS for proximity awareness, especially under forest canopy. Survey results indicate loggers perceive safety benefits to employing LS devices on logging operations, especially for injury response scenarios, such as alerting coworkers of an emergency and finding injured persons quickly. Loggers indicated intent to adopt safety practices involving location sharing, which is a strong indicator of action according to the Theory of Planned Behavior. Study results encourage further development of LS applications for logging safety but advise for recommendations outlining appropriate uses.