A survey of forest workers in New Zealand. Do hours of work, rest, and recovery play a role in accidents and injury?

Problem: A number of structural and organizational changes have occurred recently within the New Zealand Forestry Industry, with concerns being raised about the impact of these changes on the forestry worker in terms of fatigue, sleepiness, and compromised safety. This study explored the relationship of fatigue, and some of its key determinants, with accidents and injuries in a group of forestry industry workers in New Zealand.

Method: A total of 367 forestry workers responded to a self-administered questionnaire.