Changes in work heaviness and intensity at farms with robotics

Abstract

The article discusses the problems of changing the essence of work of agricultural workers in the context of introduction of digital technologies. The research aims to study the changes in heaviness and intensity of work of agricultural workers as a result of introduction of digital technologies. As research methods, the workplace of a robotic milking operator was assessed in comparison with a machine milking operator. And 7 indicators belong to class 1 and 6 indicators to the second class of the working conditions, therefore, a general assessment of work heaviness corresponds to the class “Acceptable” (class 2). The assessment of work intensity revealed 7 indicators that belong to class 3.1 (stressful work of the first degree) and 3 indicators to class 3.2 (stressful work of the second degree). This allows making a conclusion that a general assessment of work intensity of a robotic milking operator corresponds to the class of stressful work of second degree. The use of robotic milking can be recommended to reduce the loads for livestock workers. At the same time, attention should be paid to reducing the work intensity of robotic milking operators.