Ergonomic exposures in apple harvesting: Preliminary observations

Fulmer, Scott; Punnett, Laura; Slingerland, D. Tucker; Earle‐Richardson, Giulia

doi:10.1002/ajim.10087

Cited by 43 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Examples include: studies on the physiological responses, productivity, and assessment of the effort in relation to an agricultural tool (Sen and Sahu, 1996), development of a sickle for growers in Indonesia (Sutjana et al, 1999), improvement of seats for labourers in tomato plant growing nurseries (Okano et al, 2001), improvement in communication and active participation of owners and labourers in apple harvesting (Fulmer et al, 2002), improved mechanization of a cabbage crop for better ergonomic efficiency in management and labour (Hachiya et al, 2004), improved communication to reduce musculo-skeletal risk among people working with fresh vegetables (Chapman et al, 2004), design of a new belt for apple cultivation (EarleRichardson et al, 2006) and introduction of frequent, short breaks (5 additional minutes per hour of work, tently generate €1,500 million per year (Fundación Cajamar, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ergonomics and psycho-sociological quality indexes in greenhouses, Almería (Spain)

Callejón-Ferre¹,

Pérez-Alonso

López

et al. 2009

Span. j. agric. res.

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This study investigates the use of the Labour Economics and Sociology Laboratory of France (LEST) method to analyse work posts among greenhouse workers in the Almería region of south-eastern Spain. The aim is to improve the health of the labourers. Data were gathered from 110 greenhouses, 73 of the Almería parral plano type and 37 raspa and amagado. Crops studied were 63 greenhouses of tomatoes, 31 of watermelons, and 16 of courgette, examining the physical environment, physical load, psycho-social aspects, and time worked by the labourers. The main conclusion was that this type of crop protective structure, typical in south-eastern Spain, does not guarantee a comfortable working environment, as defined by the norm UNE-EN 13031-1 reference. The results also associate the different types of greenhouses and their crops with the ergonomic and psycho-sociological conditions of the workers. Improvements are proposed.Additional key words: ergonomics, greenhouse, LEST, prevention, Psycho-sociology. Resumen Índices de calidad ergonómica-psicosociológica en invernaderos de Almería (España)Este estudio investigó el uso del método de LEST (Labour Economics and Sociology Laboratory of France) para evaluar los puestos de trabajo en invernaderos de la provincia de Almería (España). Todo ello, con el fin de mejorar la salud de los trabajadores. Los datos se han obtenido de 110 invernaderos, 73 del tipo Almería "parral plano" y 37 "raspa y amagado"; según el tipo de cultivo, 63 de tomate, 31 de sandía y 16 de calabacín, afectándose negativamente al entorno físi-co, carga física, aspectos psicosociales y tiempo de trabajo de los trabajadores. Como conclusión principal, este tipo de estructuras de protección de cultivos típicas del sudeste español no garantizan el trabajo de las personas de forma cómoda en su interior, no estando dentro de la definición de la norma UNE-EN 13031-1 de referencia, además los resultados asocian directamente los diferentes tipos de invernaderos y sus cultivos con las condiciones ergonómico-psicosociales de los trabajadores, proponiéndose mejoras para ellos.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ergonomics and psycho-sociological quality indexes in greenhouses, Almería (Spain)

Callejón-Ferre¹,

Pérez-Alonso

López

et al. 2009

Span. j. agric. res.

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“…Lifting heavy objects such as fully loaded totes or bins is a common problem for vegetable and fruit farmworkers Meyers et al, 2000;NIOSH, 2001;Fulmer et al, 2002). Lifting more than 50 lb (22.7 kg) occurs routinely on farms and is considered a major risk to farmworkers (Chapman and Meyers, 2001).…”

Section: Low Backmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Prolonged extreme trunk flexion (>60°) is commonly found in farm tasks such as pruning, weeding, labeling, and harvesting crops (Meyers et al, 1997NIOSH, 2001). Fruit harvesters have also been found to work for significant durations in severe flexion, especially when trees are below 3.4 m in height Meyers et al, 2000;Fulmer et al, 2002).…”

Section: Low Backmentioning

confidence: 98%

◾ Ergonomic Analysis and Abatement Recommendations to Reduce Musculoskeletal Stress in Warehousing Operations: Case Study

2012

Occupational Ergonomics

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“…In a previous study of apple harvesting using ladders, workers were exposed to physical stress including reaching to pick apples for 62.9% of the work time and carrying an apple bag for 78.5% of the time (Fulmer et al, 2002). Even though implementing the mobile platform has potential to improve harvesting efficiency, there has not been a study investigating how mobile platforms may affect the physical exposures an orchard worker is subjected to.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Comparing Upper Arm and Back Postural Exposures between Apple Harvesting with Ladders and Mobile Platform

Thamsuwan

Johnson

2015

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual

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In the US tree fruit industry, in attempt to improve the efficiency of orchard workers; harvest-assisting mobile platforms have been introduced. However, the effect these mobile platforms have on physical exposures, i.e. non-neutral work postures, has not been evaluated. The purposes of this study were to compare ergonomic risk factors between a new apple harvesting method using mobile platforms and the traditional method using ladders. Twenty-four workers participated in this study and were equally divided into three groups, harvesting apples from ladders (n = 8), mobile platforms (n = 8) and the ground (n = 8). Upper arm and back inclinations were continuously monitored and calculated over the whole work period, excluding breaks. Upper arm posture was characterized in terms of the percent of time when upper arm flexion and abduction exceeded 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 80 and 90 degrees. Back inclination was characterized as the percent time forward bending exceeded 10, 20 and 30 degrees. The results showed that the workers on the mobile platform typically had lower postural exposures than the ground and the ladder workers, respectively.

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Ergonomic exposures in apple harvesting: Preliminary observations

Abstract: Possible intervention strategies are suggested, with emphasis on direct communication and active involvement on the part of the growers and harvesters.

Cited by 43 publications

References 8 publications

Ergonomics and psycho-sociological quality indexes in greenhouses, Almería (Spain)

Ergonomics and psycho-sociological quality indexes in greenhouses, Almería (Spain)

◾ Ergonomic Analysis and Abatement Recommendations to Reduce Musculoskeletal Stress in Warehousing Operations: Case Study

Comparing Upper Arm and Back Postural Exposures between Apple Harvesting with Ladders and Mobile Platform

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