Agricultural Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders: Historical and Future Perspectives
In most countries, agriculture is recognized as one of the most hazardous industries, with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) being at the top of problems facing workers in labor-intensive agriculture. This paper gives an overview of the extent of MSDs in agriculture, and a historical perspective on how ergonomics has been used to reduce the health effects of labor-intensive agriculture. A summary of exposure to MSD physical risk factors within various classes of crops is given. There are various administrative and engineering controls for abating MSDs in agriculture. These range from programmed rest breaks to mechanized or partially-mechanized operations. Worker-based approaches such as prone carts and platforms, and load transfer devices hold promise in combating the prevalent stooped work in agriculture. Although physical risk factors are major contributors to MSDs in agriculture, other psychosocial, organizational, cultural, and socio-economic factors could be important contributors to the development and prevention of these disorders. These factors may play a central role in the effective implementation and adoption of any intervention approach. Despite the advent progress in new technologies in agricultural practices, reliance on labor, especially in fresh market fruits and vegetables, will always be a major cornerstone of agriculture for at least the foreseen future.
Fadi A. Fathallah
University of California Agricultural Ergonomics Research Center Berkeley, Davis, and San Francisco, California, USA School of Sciences and Engineering, American University in Cairo Cairo, Egypt
国际会议
17th World Congress on Ergonomics(第十七届国际人类工效学大会)
北京
英文
1-5
2009-08-09（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）