Two fatalities and more than 2000 injuries reported last year
Download: Forest Products Health and Safety Infographic 2025
Workplace Safety North has developed new infographics to help identify key trends and risk areas across Ontario’s forest products sectors. The 2025 Workplace Health and Safety Snapshot for the Ontario Forestry, Paper, Printing and Converting sector provides insight into the most common workplace injuries and illnesses affecting workers across the industry.
The sector reported a total injury rate of 3.21 injuries per 100 workers; a slight decrease compared to the previous year.
The most common events resulting in lost-time injuries were contact with objects and equipment, and bodily reaction and exertion. Contact with objects and equipment accounted for 39 per cent of lost-time injuries and included workers being caught in or compressed by equipment or objects, or being struck by objects.
Due to the use of large machinery throughout the industry, workers may be exposed to hazards involving moving machine parts or being caught in and crushed by equipment. In addition, industry data shows that deficient lock out of machinery is a top risk in the pulp and paper sector. It is essential that employers have adequate policies, training and supervision to ensure that equipment and machines are properly shut off and not able to be started up during maintenance and repair.
Bodily reaction and exertion events accounted for 34 per cent of lost-time injuries. These incidents included overexertion from lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling objects, as well as repetitive motion and use of tools.
Noise induced hearing loss is the primary occupational illness in the industry. Workers are strongly encouraged to always wear hearing protection when appropriate.
View the full series of Forest Products Statistics below, including sector-specific snapshots for logging, milled wood products, sawmills, silviculture, veneer, plywood and wood preservation, paper, printing and converting, corrugating, folding cartons, paper products, printing, platemaking and binding, and pulp, newsprint and specialty papers.
Forest Products Statistics:
Corrugating and Solid Fibre Boxes Sector
Paper, Printing, and Converting Sector
Printing, Platemaking, and Binding Sector
Pulp, Newsprint, and Specialty Papers Sector
Veneer, Plywood, and Wood Preservation Sector
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