Current problems of healthy working conditions and prevention of health disorders of agricultural mechanizers during the operation of self-propelled grain harvesters

Abstract

The prevention of work-related health disorders is a priority in hygiene and preventive medicine. However, little attention has yet been paid to occupational health issues for agricultural workers. The purpose of this research was to assess the current state and develop measures to improve working conditions during the operation of self-propelled combine harvesters, the most widely represented in the existing machine and tractor fleet of agriculture in Russia. Measurements and hygienic assessment of the parameters of the factors of the production environment and the labor process in real production conditions have been carried out. The research results showed that the working conditions on self-propelled combine harvesters are characterized by a complex effect on workers of unfavorable factors (dustiness of the air in the working area, microclimatic discomfort, noise, general and local vibration, physical and sensory-emotional overload), the levels of which to varying degrees exceed hygienic standards. (classes 3.1–3.4). It has been established that the main reason for the formation of harmful working conditions is the operation of morally and physically worn out equipment. It is shown that the impact of an unfavorable production environment can serve as a risk factor for the emergence and development of general and occupational pathology among agricultural machine operators. A set of measures has been developed to ensure safe working conditions and reduce the risk of health disorders for machine operators, including normalizing the microclimate, reducing noise, vibration, dustiness in the air in the working area, optimizing the working posture, and introducing rational modes of work and rest. However, the basic measure that minimizes the adverse impact of professionally determined production factors on the health of agricultural machine operators is the complete replacement of the outdated machine and tractor fleet with agricultural machinery of new generations and compliance with the terms of its operation.