Abstract
Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have long been recognized as the most common risks that operation of agricultural machineries poses, thus, undermining the ability to labor and quality of life. The purpose of this investigation was to thoroughly review the recent scholarly literature on ergonomics in agricultural mechanized operations; Methods: Electronic database research over the last ten years was conducted based on specific inclusion criteria. Furthermore, an assessment of the methodological quality and strength of evidence of potential risk factors causing MSDs was performed; Results: The results demonstrated that ergonomics in agriculture is an interdisciplinary topic and concerns both developed and developing countries. The machines with driving seats seem to be associated with painful disorders of the low back, while handheld machines with disorders of the upper extremities. The main roots of these disorders are the whole-body vibration (WBV) and hand-arm transmitted vibration (HATV). However, personal characteristics, awkward postures, mechanical shocks and seat discomfort were also recognized to cause MSDs; Conclusions: The present ergonomic interventions aim mainly at damping of vibrations and improving the comfort of operator. Nevertheless, more collaborative efforts among physicians, ergonomists, engineers and manufacturers are required in terms of both creating new ergonomic technologies and increasing the awareness of workers for the involved risk factors.
Highlights
Agriculture provides food, raw materials for other industries and employment opportunities.As a consequence, given the key role of agriculture in global economy, safety and health of its employees are regarded to be of major importance
The highest vibration was along x-direction; The maximum vibration reductions occurred with rubber handles; Interventions decelerated the occurrence of white finger syndrome
The highest total vibration doses occurred in August and April; The maximum mean daily exposure appeared during April, August, September and October
Summary
Agriculture provides food, raw materials for other industries and employment opportunities.As a consequence, given the key role of agriculture in global economy, safety and health of its employees are regarded to be of major importance. The most widespread and alarming non-lethal disease among farmers is considered to be the MSDs [4] Manual operations such as harvesting and pruning are very common, in particular in developing countries [5]. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have long been recognized as the most common risks that operation of agricultural machineries poses, undermining the ability to labor and quality of life. The purpose of this investigation was to thoroughly review the recent scholarly literature on ergonomics in agricultural mechanized operations; Methods: Electronic database research over the last ten years was conducted based on specific inclusion criteria. More collaborative efforts among physicians, ergonomists, engineers and manufacturers are required in terms of both creating new ergonomic technologies and increasing the awareness of workers for the involved risk factors
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