Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Agricultural Workers

Abstract

This paper describes the current status of musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) and its ergonomic risk factors, including the preventive intervention in terms of the working conditions and health promotion among agricultural workers. Korean agricultural workers have been exposed to the poor working condition. They have suffered from a variety of work-related injury and diseases more than the general population or the other occupational group. MSDs are one of the most prevalent problems threatening the agricultural worker's health and quality of life. Low back pain, osteoarthritis of hip and knee joint and carpal tunnel syndrome are well known MSDs that was found easily and frequently among agricultural workers. MSDs are worsened by poor ergonomic working conditions such as heavy weight lifting, repetitive movement and awkward posture which involves squatting with long sitting work on the ground, long working hours and heavy workload which are inherent in the greater part of agricultural works. Even though Korean agricultural workers are very weak population in terms of occupational safety and health, no many studies were conducted in the past and no many social and institutional supports were provided sufficiently. We need more interests and efforts in agricultural fields to improve its working condition and to promote health status of agricultural workers.

Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases in Special Populations: Farmers and Soldiers

“…Many of these diseases are caused by the nature of farm work, condition of tools and equipment, type of production method, or exposure to chemicals (11, 12, 13, 14). …”

Ergonomic conditions in manual harvesting in Swedish outdoor cultivation

“…Ergonomic problems in manual labor in agriculture and in horticulture are well known and documented throughout the world [6][7][8][9]. Although many tasks have been mechanized and work tools and methods of cultivation have been improved, manual work with bent and twisted postures, such as kneeling and squatting, is often still required.…”

“…Although many tasks have been mechanized and work tools and methods of cultivation have been improved, manual work with bent and twisted postures, such as kneeling and squatting, is often still required. Working in such positions is a known risk factor for MSD [3,7,[10][11][12][13][14].…”

Impacts of gender, weather, and workplace differences in farm worker’s gear

“…Agriculture is classified as a hazardous industry worldwide according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) [ 1 ] and ILO [ 2 ]. However, the farmers are vulnerable compared with people working in mining and construction industries which are the main fields focused on safety and health [ 1 – 4 ], and the rates of fatality in agriculture, mining, and construction in 2004 were 30.1, 28.1, and 11.9 per 100,000, respectively [ 1 ]. The farmers are exposed to extreme weather conditions, machine accidents resulted from farm mechanization, and so on, while they experience plenty of health problems [ 5 ].…”

“…Especially, the agricultural work should be conducted by periods of ripening, and the work is carried out for long hours even in extreme weather such as hot and humid conditions. Many severe disorders and deaths occur in the farming industry due to the nature of agricultural working environments [ 4 , 14 – 16 ]. Sixty-eight farmers died due to illness related to heat in the USA from 1992 to 2006 [ 17 ].…”