Understanding musculoskeletal disorders among Iranian apple harvesting laborers: Ergonomic and stop watch time studies

Abstract

BackgroundMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are usually caused by bad working postures and habits. There is a great demand to correctly estimate laborers' work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) during physically intensive works. This study aimed to suggest a practical solution with ergonomic principles and time studies on the reduction of WMSDs for the apple harvesting laborers in Sepidan gardens at the Fars Province, Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran). MethodsPrevalence of MSDs was evaluated by the Nordic Standard Questionnaire surveys and the laborers’ workload was assessed by the rapid entire body assessment postural analysis tool. A stop watch time study method was employed to estimate rest time allowances. Data from the time study was also recorded by a questionnaire validated from a panel of experts. Thirty laborers from two age groups: a young (20–35 years of old) and old (36–55 years old) were sampled from 10 gardens. ResultsThe stop watch time study revealed that the frequencies of apple harvesting works were 95 vs. 119 times for the old group and young one, respectively. The prevalent disorders were related to specific body regions such as the lumber, knee, neck and shoulder areas. The percentages of disorders were significantly reduced when ergonomically corrected postures were applied with suitable rest time allowances. ConclusionFruit harvesting works may need to improve their work-rest time intervals to prevent WMSD developments and productivities with time managements. With a correct estimation of the desired number of laborers, apple harvesting jobs can be performed on time, and by implementing appropriate ergonomic postures, occupational health and safety problems can be lessened in the apple harvesting workers.