Reported potential hazardous conditions and health risks by charcoal workers in northeastern Bahia, 2001–02
Activity | Hazardous situation | Health consequences |
---|---|---|
Kiln workers | ||
Loading kilns | Wood pile, wood pieces | Fall, slip, and trip from the pile |
Wood pile collapse | Cut, crush, or laceration of hand, foot, or limbs; being struck by logs | |
Repetitive movements, weight of the wood | Back and muscle pain, fatigue, spinal hernia | |
Hidden insects, scorpions, and snakes | Poisonous bites | |
Starting fire | Climbing a kiln | Fall and slip from the rooftop or ladder |
Burning | Wood smoke and charcoal particulate | Eye and throat irritation, sinusitis, tuberculosis, lung diseases |
Fall of the kiln roof or wall | Injuries | |
Unloading kilns | Kiln heat or fire while unloading | Burns, eye irritation |
Kiln heat and rain | Cold/flu | |
Confined space | Dizziness, fainting | |
Tractor/truck drivers and tractor/truck loaders | ||
Loading and unloading trucks | Wood pile collapse | Fall, slip, and trip from the pile |
Repetitive movements, log weight | Cut, crush, or laceration of hand foot or limbs; being struck by logs Back and muscle pain, hernia | |
Hidden insects, scorpions, and snakes | Poisonous bites | |
Wood transportation | Road conditions, traffic | Vehicle fall, wood pile collapse, injuries, traffic accidents |
Inadequate vehicle maintenance | ||
Truck/tractor fuel and engine exhaust | Skin and respiratory tract irritation | |
Loggers and logger helpers | ||
Logging | Chainsaw weight | Muscle pain |
Chainsaw malfunction | Severe cuts | |
Chainsaw engine (gasoline) fume | Respiratory tract irritation | |
Tree fall while cutting | Injuries | |
Kiln burners | ||
Burning kiln inspection | Wood smoke | Eye and respiratory tract irritation |
Lung disease | ||
Charcoal carriers | ||
Loading charcoal | Climbing up stairs | Slips and falls |
Charcoal dust | Eye irritation |