Supporting healthy, productive and rewarding work in the forest
Associated Oregon Loggers (AOL) provides safety and occupational services to member company customers. AOL’s unique, long-term experience with forest operations and relationship with SAIF Corporation provides association customers with specialized
services to employers and their workers in occupational safety, health, employment, loss control, and return to work. Since 1969, member companies have regularly received targeted information, programs, and consulting services that foster
their worker and workplace safety in Oregon forest contract operations. Those forest contract operations include harvesting, reforestation, firefighting, trucking, road construction, equipment repair, restoration, habitat improvement,
recreation development, stand establishment and protection.
Forest trades occupations are both rewarding and challenging – but most importantly, work in the forest is safer using more technology than ever before!
Program Highlights
Consulting services in safety, health, workforce, contracting, and policy – skilled AOL team of 12 professionals consulting for your business success
Workers’ compensation services
Insurance programs for health, accident, and property-casualty
Publications, materials and information for safe and healthy work
Workplace improvement resources
Oregon professional logger qualification and continuing education program
Workforce recruitment, retention and development support
Training programs that promote safety and healthy workplaces
Safety communication and emergency response guidance
Bilingual and labor contracting services
Advocacy representation for employers about agency policymaking
Monthly publishing on current safety and health topics
Safety in Oregon Forest Operations
Modern Forest Operations Technology
Impressive advances in technology over the last century have changed harvesting and forestry operations at a lightning-fast pace. Continuous improvement in forest engineering and techniques helps meet America’s ever-increasing demand for
forest products, improves its ecological performance, and most certainly has raised worker safety. The sophistication of harvesting today is a surprise to most people. Forestry work is safer and provides more rewarding occupations
for those wanting the challenges of an outdoor workplace.
The growing and harvesting of trees has become an attractive occupation because of its safe performance, environmental rewards, and outdoor setting that brings weekly
variety.
Modern logging equipment can now process an entire tree into log lengths in just a few quick motions, thereby improving safety, saving time, enhancing quality, and reducing impacts on the environment. Many forest
jobs are within the comfort & safety of an enclosed cab operating a machine that processes trees or handles forest materials. Today’s machines are purpose-built to be safer, more efficient and have lower site impacts. Computer
systems and electronic controls in today’s mechanized forest machinery, produce optimized performance, use less energy, keep a clean environment and recover more wood. Much of this innovation results from skilled loggers using safe
practices; they are skilled trade-workers who operate up-to-date equipment on-the-ground to continually improve methods.
Today’s forest operation is amazing compared to yesteryear’s Paul Bunyan. Innovations in logging and
forestry methods combine with science to improve techniques for safe work, low-impact harvesting, keeping forests healthy, well-designed roads, protecting streams, and enhancing wildlife habitat. The latest technologies make safe workplaces
and sustainable forestry possible during harvesting, roading, and product transportation.
Continuous Improvement
Innovation to make forest operations and production safer and more efficient is a way of life for the forest contracting business. Forest trades thrive on continuous improvement.
Forest management operations in Oregon
forestlands since the 1970’s have been conducted by independent trades contractors. These forestry and logging companies have decades of history of continuous improvement. Forest operators—including loggers—are improving their
mobile working conditions, their processes, and the high-tech machinery purpose-built to manage forests for ever-increasing landowner objectives.
Superior forest management by forest operators have innovated in the following
ways that can enhance safety performance:
Worker safety & health programs
Employee training includes safety
Employer-invested workers’ compensation programs
Health & wellness programs
Safety-based compensation
New employee screening & training
Drug-free workplace
Work-alone safe procedures
Technology innovation
Enhanced mechanization of work
Computer-aided systems & power
State-of-the art power technology
Improved production & quality
1st Aid/CPR, emergency evacuation plans
Driving safety programs
Communication system advances
Environmental protection standards
Integrated management prescriptions
Process/methods improvement
Purpose-built equipment
Right-time delivery
Greater skilled trades experience
Forest Safety...Top Safety-First Priority
On-going improvement of Oregon forest operation and logging safety performance is a collective outcome of businesses and partners making safety and health programs a top priority. Safety programs are available through a host of private
organizations, AOL, and government agencies -- many of which cooperate with forest operators to grow safety cultures and enhance healthy performance on-the job.
Oregon’s forest sector has a decades-long history of
continuous improvement making operational safety in the forest a top-priority, fostered by the following sources or factors:
Primary Resources
Associated Oregon Loggers/SAIF Partnership (AOL) – many operator-targeted programs
Oregon Safety Laws – effective worker safety agencies, OR-OSHA and SAIF
Related State and Federal Employment Laws – BOLI; ODOT; DOGAMI; OED; OHA, US-DOT; US-MSHA
State Accident Insurance Fund (SAIF Corp.) – effective workers comp programs
Employer/Logging Business Safety Programs – self-determined forestry employer safety programs to assure safe practices, performance, and business reputation
Oregon Professional Logger Program (OPL) – continuing education, including safety
Equipment Service -- improved repair & service to better worker safety & health
Process/Technology Improvement – collaboration of operators, manufacturers, researchers
Employee Safety
Because forest management and logging work is a rewarding and challenging occupation, forest employers implement comprehensive safety programs for their teams. Skilled workers on forest jobsites will experience a rigorous safety
program provided by the employer, such as the following:
New employee orientation
Training with safety practices
Clear communications and teamwork
Safe work performance standards
Supervision by a competent person
Drug-free workplace policy
Health & wellness programs
Safety-based compensation
Periodic tailgate safety meetings
Advanced on-the-job training
Progressive job experience
Increasing responsibility
Forestry and logging jobs may require specific prior experience, which includes safety and health elements. Applicants may have to demonstrate knowledge, skills or abilities in their: safe work history, good driving record, drug screening,
specialized heavy equipment operation, commercial driver’s license, and prior experience.
