A case study on health examinations of forest workers in forest harvesting works.

Work performances of forest workers are negatively affected due to their high level of health problems. This study aims to conduct general health checks for forest workers who work in harvesting works in forestry; to determine ailments caused by the work and to determine protective measures which should be taken in the working environment. A sample study was presented on the performance and interpretation of general health examinations, tests and analyses for forest workers in hospital environment. It was found that forest worker had chronic bronchitis, fracture in left wrist, deltoid ligament tear in exterior side of ankle and 2 crush lesions in tibia region in the foot. Audiogram test found bilateral mild sensorineural hearing loss in both ears and bilateral moderate loss at 2000-4000-8000 Hz. While CKMB values, which are used in diagnosis of heart damage (myocardial infarction), are at reference interval of 0,3-4 ng/ml, this value was found to be high at 5,6 ng/ml level. As for exercise stress test, the disorders which were not visible in ECG, which was taken during normal resting, were identified. At level 4 and deviation V5 of the exercise test, 2 mm ST depression was identified and exercise stress test of forest worker was interpreted as positive in ischemic terms. Finally, ailments caused by the work and measures which should be taken in the working environment in forest harvesting works were tried to be determined.