Safety Education and Training of Swedish Farmer-Loggers

The aim of the study was to test a model for safety educationof farmer-loggers. The project was prompted by the high rateof fatal accidents and severe injuries among farmer-loggersand the difficulty in recruiting them to ordinary safety courses.The courses were planned and organised by representatives ofthe agricultural and forestry organizations, the Local SafetyInspectorate and the public health services. The participantswere recruited locally in each district. One trial group andone control group were randomly selected and compared for sixvariables. The courses were held close to the participants'farms. The majority had little or no previous education in occupationalsafety. The courses contributed to an increased safety consciousnessand the participants reported improved methods of working. Themost important factors for the result were the location of thecourses, the recruitment procedure and realistic exercises withdemonstrations on major risks. Requests for reprints should be addressed to:: Dr Bjarne R. Jansson, Karolinska Institute, Department of Social Medicine, Krouan Health Centre, S-172 83 Sundbyberg, Sweden