Providing training to forest workers, who have among the highest job-related injury, illness, and fatality rates, to help them reduce the risk of getting injured on the job
Healthy forest ecosystems are created and maintained through activities that require hiring workers. Ecological resilience, economic viability, and social equity — the so-called three legs of sustainability — are thus inextricably intertwined, and under intelligent management, can be mutually reinforcing. All too often, however, forest ecosystem restoration workers, who are mostly Latino immigrants, are not treated well. They work for low pay and frequently are not paid for all the hours they work. Occupational injury, illness and fatality rates are disproportionately high among them, yet they rarely receive health benefits or safety training. Often they do not get rest breaks, are not supplied with drinking water on the job, are issued inoperable or worn out safety equipment, are pressured to continue working when sick or injured, and are retaliated against if they speak up for their rights.
Lomakatsi Restoration Project and the Northwest Forest Worker Center follow worker rights and protection standards set forth by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Learn more from OSHA here.