Risk analysis of agricultural, forestry and green maintenance working sites

Cividino, Sirio; Colantoni, Andrea; Vello, Michela; Dell’Antonia, Daniele; Malev, Olga; Gubiani, Rino

doi:10.12988/ces.2015.56182

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of mechanical and physico-chemical methods used for this practice [1,2,3], as well as to quantify the various risks to which the operators are often exposed,such as vibrations, noise, physical fatigue, difficult postures and exposure to chemicals [4,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational risks related to vibrations using a brush cutter for green area management

Bernardi¹,

Quendler²,

Benalia³

et al. 2018

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Introduction. Weed control is one of the most important issues in the maintenance sectors of both agriculture and green areas. Small tools are employed for controlling grass and other growths on steep verges and river banks. This leads the operators being exposed to many risks among which vibration is one. The purpose of this study is to measure and evaluate hand-arm vibration and to verify the daily exposure to which workers are often subjected while weeding. Materials and method. Two cutting heads, a brush knife and a mowing head were compared. Both were mounted on the same cow-horn brush cutter. The vibration total value was expressed as the root-mean-square (rms) of three component values according to the axes X, Y and Z. The signal was frequency weighted using the weighting curve Wh, as described in the ISO 5349-1 (2001) standard. In addition, the daily vibration exposure was calculated and compared with the thresholds set by EU Directive 2002/44/EC (2005. Results. The obtained results showed that the exposure action value (EAV) of 2.5 ms -2 was exceeded while using both cutting heads. The exposure limit value (ELV) using the brush knife also exceeded 5 ms -2 . Conclusions. The results highlighted important aspects in terms of exposure values that should be considered with the view of preventing the risk of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) to which the operators who frequently use these tools are exposed. Specific measures should therefore be taken to protect the exposed workers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational risks related to vibrations using a brush cutter for green area management

Bernardi¹,

Quendler²,

Benalia³

et al. 2018

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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“…Meanwhile, famers frequently use brush cutter to harvest grasses and crops. However, when the operators prolonged exposure to the natural environment, their workload will increase due to the bearing weight, vibration and noise generated mainly from the rotating engine, which can provoke working fatigue, occupational diseases and even working accidents [1][2][3][4][5]. As a result, gardeners are at increased risk of a number of health problems which can affect their working lives.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Muscle fatigue related to human posture using a brush cutter for landscape gardening: a preliminary study

Yang¹,

Li²,

Li³

et al. 2022

Med Pr

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Background: Brush cutters are widely used in Chinese landscape gardening and agricultural laboring which leads the operators being exposed to many risks. Low back pain (LBP) is particularly common and can lead to substantial personal, community and financial burdens. The aim of the presented study was to measure the activity and function of each torso muscle of the operator when using the bush cutter, so as to evaluate the muscle injury of the operator during using several common brush cutters for different landscape tasks. Material and Methods: The human postures of 6 workers using 2 types of brush cutters in the 3 working conditions were recorded and measured by using a surface electromyography (sEMG) system and a camera. The test results were compared by t-test and sign test. The effect of human posture on the sEMG signal of trunk muscles in different working condition were analyzed by ANOVA. Results: In the 3 working conditions, except for the left trapezius muscle, the muscle load of operating the backpack brush cutter is higher than that of operating side-mounted brush cutter. When operating the side-mounted backpack brush cutter, the force on both sides of the trapezius muscle is uneven, the load of the left trapezius muscle is >25%, and the maximum value is >30%. Conclusions:The results highlighted significant differences in the effects of different working postures on the muscle activities of workers' trunk. Safe operation standards should therefore be taken to protect the exposed workers and to improve the industrial design of irrigation cutters to prevent the occurrence of occupational diseases. Med Pr. 2022;73(3):201-7

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“…In the semi-mechanised logging operations, the great majority of accidents are generally caused by chainsaws, not only in the logging phase (Albizu-Urionabarrenetxea et al 2010, Neely and Wilhelmson 2006, Nieuwenhuis and Lyons 2002, Shaffer and Milburn 1999, Axelsson 1998, Peters 1991. The main risk factors that have been identified and studied in relation to the use of the chainsaw are related to experience (Wang et al 2003, Lefort et al 2003, Bentley et al 2002, Shaffer and Milburn 1999, age (Neely and Wilhemson 2006, Wilhelmson et al 2005, Thelin 2002, Salminen et al 1999, seasonality and type of company (Picchio et al 2010, Montorselli et al 2010, Wang et al 2003, frequency with which the chainsaw is used (Albizu-Urionabarrenetxea et al 2013, Lilley et al 2002, training (Cividino et al 2015, Blombäck et al 2003, use and maintenance of protective equipment (Albizu-Urionabarrenetxea et al 2013), work technique (Thelin 2002, Salminen et al 1999, Peters 1991), work at height (Tamboreno et al 2015, Robb and Cocking 2014, Tamboreno 1989), use of winches ( Bellmunt 1986) and intervention in emergency work (Robb and Cocking 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Chainsaw Operators Training in Andalusia (Spain)

Ferreira

Salguero-Caparrós

Carrillo-Castrillo

et al. 2021

Croat. j. for. eng. (Online)

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The chainsaw, as a work equipment, is considered one of the most dangerous in the field of occupational health and safety. The chainsaw is especially used in the forestry sector, although it is also used in other different sectors such as agriculture, construction or gardening. This study was carried out using an ad-hoc questionnaire as a research tool in order to assess the weaknesses in the training received by workers who use chainsaws in Andalusia, Spain, since it has never been addressed before. To achieve the objective set, the questionnaire was completed by 378 operators working with chainsaw and their responses were analysed. The results of this study show that there are obvious shortcomings related to work with chainsaws in very significant aspects for the occupational health and safety. Of special importance is the lack of training detected on rescue techniques and work at height, since these are aspects of special risk for workers’ health that could cause accidents with severe injuries. Also, a common denominator in all aspects studied was the lack of safety inspections and the state of the equipment to be used. These results evidence that there is a need to regulate chainsaw operator training.

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Risk analysis of agricultural, forestry and green maintenance working sites

Cited by 7 publications

References 7 publications

Occupational risks related to vibrations using a brush cutter for green area management

Occupational risks related to vibrations using a brush cutter for green area management

Muscle fatigue related to human posture using a brush cutter for landscape gardening: a preliminary study

Assessment of Chainsaw Operators Training in Andalusia (Spain)

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