Wood-Logging Process Management in Eastern Amazonia (Brazil)

Killian S. Lima, Ana C. Meira Castro, J. Santos Baptista and Ulisses Silva
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Killian S. Lima: Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics (LAETA), Faculty of Engineering of University of Porto (FEUP), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Ana C. Meira Castro: CERENA and ISEP-School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
J. Santos Baptista: Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics (LAETA), Faculty of Engineering of University of Porto (FEUP), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Ulisses Silva: Department of Forestry, Federal University of Western Pará, Santarém, 68040-255 Pará, Brazil

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-18

Abstract: In this work, the wood-logging process of four federal conservation units (FCUs) in the Eastern Amazonia forest are described and compared. The approach focused on on-site observation of activities and tasks performed during the process. As an outcome, it was observed that companies implement activities similarly, regardless of their specific know-how. The most significant difference was identified in the cross-cutting operation, which is carried out in several steps and which interferes with the efficiency of the activity and the exposure of workers to occupational risks. The use of geographic information systems (GIS) during planning and management activities, and the use of modern machinery equipped with safety devices, in combination with workers’ theoretic and practical continuous training, were identified as crucial measures that assure operational efficiency in the four companies assessed. Seeking to contribute to the sustainable development of the Amazon forest, a generic model for wood logging is proposed, which brings together best practices identified in the companies studied and makes it possible to obtain the best benefit at the lowest workers’ exposure to the risk of occupational accidents.

Keywords: Amazon forest; wood logging; forest sustainability; timber; risk; occupational accident (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:18:p:7571-:d:413314

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