Safe forestry work: Experts from D-A-CH are calling for new standards!

Safe forestry work: Experts from D-A-CH are calling for new standards!

At the specialist event Woodmaster 2025, which took place on March 14, 2025, over 80 experts from Austria, Germany and Switzerland came together to present innovative techniques to improve safety when working in the forest. This event organized by the AUVA (General Accident Insurance Institute) places a clear focus on accident prevention in forestry work, one of the riskiest areas of the working world, where serious and fatal accidents often occur. As part of the event, practical training was carried out, including the demonstration of safe felling techniques and the use of modern aids such as battery-operated felling wedges. According to Siegfriedsperrer from the Federal Forest Research Center, the correct use of technical aids is crucial for safety.

Prevention approaches and tips for hobby workers

In addition to the experts who specialize in forestry work, AUVA also draws attention to the increased risk of accidents for hobby woodworkers, especially in November, a high-risk month for forestry work. According to a report by Tips You should never work alone in the forest, as many dangers such as hidden tensions or the danger potential of machines are often underestimated. Tips for avoiding accidents include wearing appropriate protective equipment, maintaining a safety zone of at least two meters around the chainsaw operator and marking danger areas for bystanders. Here, experts emphasize the importance of teamwork and training to raise awareness of potential risks.

The event and AUVA's ongoing safety initiatives demonstrate a common effort to reduce the number of accidents and raise awareness of safe working in the forest. It is agreed that preventative measures must be promoted in order to sustainably increase safety in this dangerous professional field.