Companies need to be aware of the risks to health and safety and take appropriate steps to avoid accidents and limit their consequences.

Main issues for the forestry and logging sector:

• Fatal and non-fatal incidents and injuries that may have been prevented with appropriate policies and procedures being fully implemented;
• proper training;
• appropriate use of protective clothing and equipment;
• better maintenance and use of tools and equipment;
• information and training for employees;
• proper transportation, storage and use of chemicals (especially in the processing of timber).

• Compliance with local/national law is the starting point
• Even if local/national law, standards or enforcement are lower than internationally accepted good practice, a company should apply the same consistent and effective management practices globally (on workforce, community health and safety, supplier screening, site safety and security)
• Health and safety plan communicated to all workers in their own language and supported by robust governance procedures
• Full health and safety training for all workers, including follow up/refresher courses.

Local communities have the right to work, to a fair living wage and to an adequate standard of living. These rights support the realisation of other rights such as the right to health, housing, participation in the culture of the community and education.

Main issues for the forestry and logging sector:

• Threats to livelihoods and life due to the use of land and other natural resources including water
• Relocation of communities away from their traditional means of living
• Jobs created for migrant workers but not for local people
• Reduced standard of living due to environmental impacts including dust, vibration, noise, vehicle movement and pollution of water courses.
• Health and safety impacts on local communities include disposal of waste, and transport movements
• Strain on infrastructure and public services due to an influx of workers. Transport networks and basic services like health and education may become more difficult for local people to access.

Forestry activities can impact on ancestral land. This land is important because of people's cultural heritage and because natural resources are used for medicine, housing, food and clothing.

Indigenous peoples use forested lands for hunting and gathering, (including food, fuel, medicines and construction materials) or for slash and burn agriculture. Either of these activities may be impacted by large scale forestry operations.

Main issues for the forestry and logging sector:

• Lack of formal tenure arrangements (with tenure based on historical use rather than documentation) and complex national laws on land rights and land use, can lead to traditional rights being overlooked and claims that indigenous peoples' forestry activities are illegal
• Lack of free, prior and informed consent of local and indigenous populations and/or lack of process to explore the issues can lead to arbitrary destruction of identity and livelihood
• Forced removal of local or indigenous groups from lands. This may be carried out by host governments which do not recognise indigenous groups or their rights
• Lack of, or unfair, compensation arrangements
• Revenues from forestry may be channelled by host governments to support the national economy rather than benefitting local or indigenous people
• Damage or reduced access to cultural and historical sites which form the basis of the identity of local or indigenous groups.

• A stakeholder engagement plan to ensure full and effective consultation with all stakeholders
• Clearly defined procedures on the use of indigenous peoples' knowledge and resources, including payment, benefit-sharing and other considerations
• A community awareness and education plan as part of health and safety measures
• Policies and procedures on the conservation and sustainable use of finite resources, which take account of local community need for these resources now and in the future
• Policies and procedures to ensure free, prior and informed consent of local and indigenous communities; ensuring that vulnerable groups are part of the consultation process and including a complaints mechanism for local communities
• Policy and procedures on the relocation of communities, including measures around consultation, prompt and adequate compensation and continuation of livelihoods
• Policies and procedures on the conservation of cultural, historical or religious sites which form the basis of the identity of local and/or indigenous groups
• Policies and procedures which recognise and reflect relevant international and national agreements such as FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade), the International Tropical Timber Agreement and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People
• Participation in programmes of traceability, such as the Forest Stewardship Council's 'chain of custody' system
• Payment of all applicable and legally prescribed fees, royalties, taxes and other charges.