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Funded by: University of Agricultural Sciences, Vienna, Gregor Mendel-Strasse 33, 1180 Wien, Austria; Timberjack Oy, Lokomonkatu 21, Fin-33900 Tampere, Finland; ÖGB, Gewerkschaft Agrar Nahrung Genuß, Albertgasse 35, 1080 Wien, Austria; Fonds Gesundes Österreich, Mariahilferstraße 176, 1150 Wien, Austria; Institut für alpine Naturgefahren und forstliches Ingenieurwesen, Austria; Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management , Stubenring 1, A-1012 Wien, Austria

Abstract: In forest and timber industry more and more workstations exist, where physical stress decreas and psychological stress is increasing. The consequence of stress are typical illnesses like cardiac infarction or gastric ulcer, which cause additional times absent. Also efficiency and number of accidents are negative influenced by stress.
Main research issue is to study the strain situation of machine operators in the different fields of forest and timer industry.
The different stressors of harvester operators are analysed in detail, so it is possible to find out the main stressors.
By developing a screening test for harvester operators it will be possible to form an opinion about the persons skills before he starts the job.
In a special intervention program different programs are adapted to reduce stress.
In cooperation with the "Forstliche Ausbildungsstätte Gmunden" the results of this study were included in the training programme for machine operators.

Keywords: occupational health; stress research;; strain; forestry; heart rate variability; workstations; psychological tests; Timber industry; stress;