Metsätöissä

Metsätöissä is Finnish for work carried out in forests and refers to a range of occupations within forestry, silviculture, and timber harvesting. The term covers both manual field work and the use of machinery, including planning, site preparation, planting, tending and thinning of stands, as well as harvesting and log transportation. It also encompasses maintenance tasks such as road upkeep, drainage, and forest pest management, often carried out by forestry companies, contractors, or public agencies.

Typical tasks include planting seedlings, performing tending and thinning to guide stand development, pruning, and establishing new generations of trees. In harvesting operations, workers may be involved in planning final felling, felling with chainsaws, and operating or coordinating the use of harvesters and forwarders or skidders to extract timber. Supporting activities such as maintaining access roads, marking stands, and ensuring compliance with environmental guidelines are also common. The exact mix of duties depends on the region, season, and employer.

Working conditions are outdoor and can be physically demanding. The workload varies with the seasons: spring and summer often bring planting and thinning, while autumn is associated with harvest activities. Weather, terrain, and remote locations influence safety and scheduling, and workers may need to travel between sites and work long hours in some periods.

Safety and training are important in metsätöissä. Roles typically require training in chainsaw safety and machine operation, use of personal protective equipment, first aid, and knowledge of sustainable forestry practices. Environmental considerations, reforestation, and biodiversity protection are integral to modern forestry work. In Finland and similar regions, forestry is a traditional and significant sector that increasingly uses mechanization and digital tools to improve efficiency and sustainability.