Safety and health in forestry work in focus on International Day of Forests 2026

GENEVA (ILO News) – Forests are important sources of employment and livelihoods for millions worldwide, supporting sustainable forest management, timber production, and the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity. Yet forestry remains one of the world’s most hazardous sectors, where many workers face significant decent work deficits, particularly in relation to occupational safety and health. Climate change further intensifies these risks, making efforts to improve working conditions and practices more urgent than ever.

Marking the International Day of Forests 2026, the International Labour Organization highlights ongoing initiatives to strengthen occupational safety and health, and social dialogue in the sector, with a spotlight on Brazil, one of the world’s leading forest economies.

In the country, the ILO is actively working with governments, employers, and workers to improve occupational safety and health and strengthen social dialogue through innovative initiatives such as the Nossa Voz. The ILO is also advancing efforts in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact, bringing together leading companies and tripartite constituents to foster dialogue and joint action in the sector.

A key milestone for 2026 is the development of a sectoral pact to advance occupational safety and health and human rights due diligence, alongside the promotion of other fundamental principles and rights at work.

In this context, the ILO Code of practice on safety and health in forestry work, together with the newly released training materials to support its implementation, provide key sectoral tools to improve working conditions in one of the world’s most hazardous sectors.