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Unit Code: FWH600

Unit Name: Forest Harvesting and Ergonomics

Description: The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of introduction - Overview of the tropics, factors affecting harvesting operations in tropical rainforests; successful harvest operations, range of factors to achieve the benefits; planning elements, several levels of forest operational planning. Strategic /long term planning. Coupe operational harvest plan. task or specific situation plan; levels of planning, strategic planning- the administrative process, maps, scales, different harvesting maps, mapping Tools and Information Systems; environmental considerations, residual stand damage, natural forests, planted forests, soil compaction, costs for comparing alternatives, production and cost, costing equipment and labor types of maps used for harvesting planning; FFHCOP; organization, administration & labour productivity of harvesting agency; field harvesting planning; manual and mechanized felling, equipment; ground based mechanized skidding and forwarding, cable & helicopter yarding system; loading and unloading, environmental concerns and appropriate harvest technology, environment impact assessment in harvesting operations. Introduction to harvesting: definition and scope of logging, concept of logging plan and execution; Execution of harvesting plan: identification and demarcation of harvesting site, estimation of volume available for extraction; Implements used in logging operation: traditional tools, improved tools; means of transport of timber-I: carts, dragging, skidding, overhead transport, ropeways, skylines; means of transport of timber-II: transport by road and railways, transport by water- floating, rafting and concept of booms; felling rules and methods: general harvesting rules, felling rules in forest and plantations; grading and Storage of timber in the depots: timber depots- types, lay out and management, systems of disposal of timber. Size of material in harvesting operation. Introduction to ergonomics: definition of ergonomics, importance and Scope of ergonomics in forestry; The worker and work: energy requirements and physical workload, work postures, rest periods and scheduling of working hours; working environment of workers: physical factors, biological factors, organizational factors; occupational accidents and diseases: major accidents in harvesting sites, major diseases causing to workers in harvesting sites; personal protective equipment?s: list of PPE for harvesting sites, use and importance of safety helmets, use and importance ear and eye protections; ergonomic problems in different forestry activities: working and living conditions of forestry workers in nursery, wood processing and logging activities, occupational health and safety (OHS).

Learning Target Outcomes:

Prerequisite: N/A

Prerequisite Sentence: Student must be enrolled in the programme.

Credit Point: 15

Offered In: Semester 2