New customized wellness resource for loggers now available through Maine AgrAbility

Orono, Maine — The Maine AgrAbility program announces the release of a new resource focused on boosting workplace safety and wellness for the state’s logging workforce. Program staff collaborated with loggers and safety experts to create a stretching guide for workers in forestry and logging. The poster features eight yoga stretches demonstrated by real loggers that can be done on the job site as well as guidance on breathing and how to get the most out of the short, simple stretching routine. The new poster is the third in a series of stretching resources for the state’s natural resources workforce with the first two focusing on farmers and fishers.

“There are few movement and physical health resources tailored for use by real loggers on location at the worksite,” explained Bella Russo, Maine AgrAbility program coordinator. “The aim of this poster is to help loggers working highly mechanized jobs maintain a healthy range of motion and to encourage changes from static or repeated motion activities throughout their workday. We hope our realistic approach will make the resource more applicable and accessible to loggers.”

AgrAbility staff will distribute the free posters at upcoming Spring Safety Training sessions hosted by the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine (full schedule can be found on the organization’s webpage), as well as at the Logging Expo in Bangor on May 16-17. Additionally, copies of the poster can be requested through the program webpage or by emailing Bella Russo at isabella.russo1@maine.edu or maine.agrability@maine.edu. Poses and instructions can also be found on the program webpage.

Maine AgrAbility, LogAbility and FishAbility are USDA-funded programs dedicated to helping farmers, fishers, loggers and woods contractors throughout the state work safely and more productively. The programs work directly with owner/operators, crew members and family members to address a wide variety of physical and cognitive conditions that impact an individual’s ability to continue working. The programs are delivered by University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Bella Russo at 207.944.1533 or isabella.russo1@maine.edu.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension

As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.