Work Accidents, Occupational Diseases, and Lost Workdays in Türkiye's Forestry Sector: Increasing Risks and Improvement Proposals for the 2019-2023 Period

In this study, data regarding occupational accidents and diseases, as well as workday losses in the forestry sector in Turkey between 2019 and 2023, have been thoroughly analysed using official statistical annual reports from the Social Security Institution. In 2019, there were 27,025 employees in the sector, which increased by 31.42% to 35,517 by 2023. Alongside the rise in the number of employees, occupational accidents in the sector have also increased year by year, peaking in 2022 with 860 accidents, 14 of which resulted in fatalities. Over the five-year period, only one case of occupational disease was reported, indicating significant deficiencies in the identification and reporting of health risks within the sector. The increase in the number of lost workdays due to occupational accidents and diseases reached 11,125 in 2022, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, adversely affecting productivity in the sector. Consequently, this study suggests that the forestry sector in Turkey needs to enhance its preparedness for emergencies and develop comprehensive occupational health and safety policies along with crisis management practices.