The physical health of rural workers exposed to noise and to thermal load: a study of tractor operators

Abstract

The search for competitive advantages forces Organizations and the Government to worry about the security and healthof workers. This type of worry results in more productivity and less costs. Walton (1974) presents eight factors to be considered in theimprovement of the quality of life in the work environment, including conditions of health and security of the work environment. Inthis context scientific studies relative to the management of the health and security of the work are continuously increasing, as showsMendes (2003). The author described a total of 862 dissertations and theses produced in Brazil on the subject from 1950 to 2002. Inspite of these data, it is possible to notice a relative shortage of studies on security of rural workers. Agricultural machinery (tractors)produces a profit in terms of productivity. But tractorsi use involves potential labor risks that disturb the health of rural workers. Theobjective of this article is to evaluate the level of noise and thermal load to which an operator of two different tractors brands is subjected.Additionally, we suggest ways for improving the well-being of the operator.