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Measuring the productivity and physical workload of brushcutters within the context of a production-based pay system

Summary

Published in Forest Policy and Economics 9: 1046-1055

Forestry occupations are known to be physically demanding, and workers are often paid on a piece rate basis. This pay system is largely used in silvicultural treatments such as plantation and vegetation management. An ill adjusted piece rate system may induce workforce recruitment difficulties or increase accident rates and work related illnesses. A study combining work measurement, ergonomics and economics was undertaken to better understand the factors influencing a worker's workload. Mathematical relations between site factors, worker's production and heart rate variation during work have been examined based on time and motion studies of 38 brushsaw operators performing regeneration release (cleaning) in northern forests. Results show that a piece rate pay system that considers only the area treated without taking into account site factors may lead workers to behave in ways that may compromise their health and safety. The use of a pay system that integrates the influence of site factors on work performance is therefore suggested.

Sector(s): 

Forests

Categorie(s): 

Scientific Article

Theme(s): 

Forestry Research, Forestry Work, Forests

Departmental author(s): 

Dubeau, Denise

Author(s)

TOUPIN, Dominic, Luc LEBEL, Denise DUBEAU, Daniel IMBEAU and Luc BOUTHILLIER

Year of publication :

2007

Format :

Paper

Keywords :

silviculture, compensation systems, labour productivity, worker behaviour, forestry work

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