Farming involves hard physical work, and over time, it takes
a toll on the bodies of farmers and farmworkers. That can lead to lost
work time, which reduces individual income and farm profitability.
Understanding the ergonomics of farm work can help avoid common
injuries that farm work can cause.
Ergonomics is the study of
efficiency in working environments; by finding the best fit between
workers and job conditions one can also avoid injuries. Much of the
following information is adapted from a publication of the National
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) titled Simple
Solutions: Ergonomics for Farm Workers.
Farm workers get
backaches and pains in the shoulders, arms, and hands more than any
other health problem. These are typically a result of chronic exposure
to physical stresses related to working in a stooped position, carrying
heavy weights in awkward positions, kneeling often, working with arms
above shoulder level, moving hands and wrists repetitively, or
vibration from farm equipment. In general, any work performed with high
force or in a position that feels awkward may put a worker at risk of
injury, especially if it’s repeated a lot.
To reduce the chance
of sprains and strains you may need to reposition work items in
relation to worker’s bodies, redesign the way a job is done, modify a
tool or use a different tool altogether. You may not be able to
implement all the ideas listed here, but even partial or small changes
can reduce injuries. Here are some ergonomic guidelines for
different types of farm work.
Guidelines for Hand Work: • Avoid placing needed tools or other items above shoulder height.
• Position items that are used often within 17 inches of the worker’s body.
•
When movements are repeated over and over, as in picking or weeding,
allow time for adequate recovery, by having the worker alternate with a
low-repetition task. For example, a worker who performs a high
repetition weeding task should be given other tasks that don’t require
repetitive hand motions, like carrying the finished boxes to the
loading area.
• Provide seated jobs. Sitting down while working
reduces the strain on the lower back and legs. Standing causes
legs to swell, more than walking does. The best jobs are ones that
allow workers to do different types of work, changing from sitting to
standing to walking and back again.
• Allow adequate clearances for
feet and knees, for both standing and sitting workers, so they can get
close to the work and avoid reaching.
• Provide floor mats for standing work stations, to reduce fatigue.
•
For standing work, use the proper work station height. For men this is
typically 40” to 43” for light work and 36” to 39” for heavy work; for
women this is typically 37” to 39” for light work and 33” to35” for
heavy work.
Guidelines for Using Hand Tools:
• When
tools require force, handle size should allow the worker to grip all
the way around the handle so that the forefinger and thumb overlap by
3/8”. Handle diameter should range from 1-3/8” for small hands to
2-1/8” for large hands, with an average of 1-3/4”.
• Handles should
be covered with smooth, slip-resistant material (plastic or rubber).
Dual-handled tools (like shears or pliers) should have a handle length
of at least 4” and preferably 5”. They should have a spring return to
maintain an open position, and handles that are almost straight without
finger grooves. Handle diameter is large enough for small overlap of
thumb and fingers.
Guidelines for Lifting:
• Keep lifts between hand level and shoulder level. Avoid lifts from the floor or over shoulder level.
• Provide handles on containers.
• Redesign loads so they can be lifted close to the body.
•
Provide dollies, pallet trucks, or utility carts for objects that have
to be carried more than a few feet. Provide roller conveyors for bags
or boxes of vegetables or chemicals that are handled often. This will
reduce the amount of lifting.
• Keep bag or box weight below 50 pounds.
Guidelines for Stooped Work:
• Redesign the job to avoid stooped work: attach long handles to tools; provide stools.
•
If stooped work is required, provide employees with other short tasks
that require walking or sitting, to break up the amount of time spent
in stooped position.
Guidelines for Vehicle Use:
•Reduce
whole body vibration by equipping tractors and other vehicles with
suspension seats that have appropriate vibration-damping
characteristics.
•Use motor vehicle seats with good seat positioning and lumbar support.
Making
changes to improve the ergonomics of farm work can not only reduce
injuries to workers but also increase their productivity and morale.
Taking the time to discuss this issue and get input on possible
improvements also makes employees feel valued because they know their
employer is making an effort to create a healthier workplace. |
