Special Public Works Programmes - SPWP - Planting Trees - An Illustrated Technical Guide and Training Manual (ILO - UNDP, 1993, 190 p.): 9. Working conditions: 9.5 Safety

Special Public Works Programmes - SPWP - Planting Trees - An Illustrated Technical Guide and Training Manual (ILO - UNDP, 1993, 190 p.)

(introduction...)

Preface

Introduction

1. Planning a plantation

(introduction...)

1.1 What regeneration method to use?

1.2 What species to establish?

1.3 Whether to plant a single tree species or a mixture of several?

1.4 What type of planting stock to use?

1.5 What planting pattern to use and how many seedlings to plant?

1.6 When to plant?

1.7 How to protect the seedlings?

1.8 The plantation plan

2. Preparing the planting site

(introduction...)

2.1 Clearing vegetation

2.2 Ground preparation

2.3 Marking where to dig the holes

2.4 Digging holes

2.5 Soil and water conservation measures

3. Handling seedlings

(introduction...)

3.1 Packing and transport of seedlings

3.2 Storing seedlings

3.3 Quality of seedlings and grading

3.4 Stripping and trimming

3.5 Transporting seedlings from the road to the planting site

4. Planting techniques

(introduction...)

4.1 Digging the holes

4.2 On-site distribution of the seedlings

4.3 Planting

4.4 Use of fertilizers

5. Adapting planting techniques to different site conditions

(introduction...)

5.1 Favourable sites

5.2 Sites with high grass

5.3 Waterlogged sites

5.4 Dry sites

5.5 Eroding slopes and rocky sites

5.6 Steep slopes

5.7 Sand dunes

5.8 High altitudes with snow

6. Maintaining plantations

(introduction...)

6.1 Weed control

6.2 Protection from grazing

6.3 Fire prevention

6.4 Protection from insects, diseases and rodents

6.5 Fertilizers

6.6 Replacement planting

7. Planting trees outside woodlots and forests

(introduction...)

7.1 Trees in crop and grazing land

7.2 Alley cropping

7.3 Intercropping in rotation

7.4 Intercropping for tree planting

7.5 Shelterbelts

7.6 Road-sides and river-sides

7.7 Homesteads and public places

8. Organizing the work

(introduction...)

8.1 Planning

8.2 Workforce

8.3 Labour requirements over the year

8.4 Worknorms

8.5 Coordinating the work

8.6 Tools and equipment

8.7 Supervision and control

8.8 Records to keep

9. Working conditions

(introduction...)

9.1 Hours of work and rest

9.2 Nutrition and amenities

9.3 Wage systems

9.4 Training, job content and labour-management relations

9.5 Safety

Appendices - Technical sheets

Appendix 1 - Surveying and mapping of large planting sites

Appendix 2 - Laying out and preparing soil and water conservation structures

Appendix 3 - Survival count

Some useful guides/handbooks

Titles in the series of training elements and technical guides for SPWP workers

9.5 Safety

First aid

Planting is often carried out in remote areas with limited access to medical help. All foremen should undergo instruction in first aid. At each worksite a first aid box should be available, containing adhesive plaster, bandages, sterile compresses, triangular bandages, safety pins, a pair of scissors, forceps, a disinfectant and a short first-aid guide written in the local language.

Minor open wounds should be dressed with adhesive plaster to prevent infection. Triangular bandages are used to support injured limbs or to dress other parts of the body.

In the case of a larger open wound which bleeds heavily, the wound should be covered by sterile compresses. A pressure cushion should be placed on top (a roll of bandage, a small piece of bark or wood, or a small, smooth stone). This should be tightly fixed with a roll of bandage or a triangular bandage, and the injured part of the body should be raised high.

Broken limbs should be fixed by means of splints.

Transporting severely injured persons to the roadside must be done with the greatest of care. Stretchers for transport can be made from wooden poles (or long tool handles) and plastic sacks or jackets.

First aid

First aid box

Adhesive plaster

Triangular bandages

Dressing open wounds

Raise injured part high

Fix broken limbs by means of splints

Stretchers for transport made from sacks or jackets

Using chemicals

If chemicals (insecticides, pesticides or herbicides) or chemically treated plants are being used, they must be handled with care and used correctly to avoid injury to people or the environment. The workers must be made aware of the risk of poisoning. Protective clothing (mask, apron, rubber gloves and boots) should be supplied to all people handling and applying chemicals and the following basic rules must be observed.

- Bare skin should never come into contact with the chemicals.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when applying pesticides.
- Always spray in the direction in which the wind is blowing.
- Change gloves often and wash gloves every day.
- Clean sprayer and containers after work; wash hands and face with soap.
- Do not spray chemicals close to lakes or rivers.
- The packaging in which the pesticides came should be destroyed and under no circumstances should it be used for other purposes.
- Store chemicals out of the reach of children and animals.
- Symptoms of poisoning are: dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, watering of the eyes and tiredness. If one of the symptoms occurs, immediately stop working and rush to the doctor.
- If medical attention is needed, show the doctor the label of the pesticide package.

Using chemicals

Protective clothing

No eating, drinking or smoking

Spray in wind direction

Cleanliness

Destroy packages

Store safely

In case of accident, show the doctor the label

Common mistakes with regard to working conditions

Insufficient training on safety and the ergonomic aspects of the work. Poor working conditions and malnutrition leading to low productivity.