Kim, SunwookNussbaum, Maury A.Schoenfisch, Ashley L.Barrett, Scott M.Bolding, M. ChadDickerson, Deborah E.2017-12-222017-12-222017-11-15Kim, S.; Nussbaum, M.A.; Schoenfisch, A.L.; Barrett, S.M.; Bolding, M.C.; Dickerson, D.E. Occupational Safety and Health Concerns in Logging: A Cross-Sectional Assessment in Virginia. Forests 2017, 8, 440.http://hdl.handle.net/10919/81392Increased logging mechanization has helped improve logging safety and health, yet related safety risks and concerns are not well understood. A cross-sectional study was completed among Virginia loggers. Participants n = 122) completed a self-administered questionnaire focusing on aspects of safety and health related to logging equipment. Respondents were at a high risk of workplace injuries, with reported career and 12-month injury prevalences of 51% and 14%, respectively. Further, nearly all (98%) respondents reported experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms. Over half (57.4%) of respondents reported symptoms related to diesel exhaust exposure in their career. Few (15.6%), however, perceived their jobs to be dangerous. Based on the opinions and suggestions of respondents, three priority areas were identified for interventions: struck-by/against hazards, situational awareness (SA) during logging operations, and visibility hazards. To address these hazards, and to have a broader and more substantial positive impact on safety and health, we discuss the need for proactive approaches such as incorporating proximity technologies in a logging machine or personal equipment, and enhancing logging machine design to enhance safety, ergonomics, and SA.application/pdfenCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 Internationalworkplace injuriesmusculoskeletal disordersdiesel exhaust exposuremechanized loggingsituational awarenessArticle - Refereed2017-12-22https://doi.org/10.3390/f8110440