Uncomfortable working conditions can lead to a deterioration of product quality, and employee health, as well as reduction in work efficiency. The article presents the results of the research determining the relationship between the height of fruit harvesting, the picker's muscle tension and the surface pressure exerted during harvest. The EMG method was used to measure muscle tension of the thumb abductor, arm and lumbar spine. A Tekscan measuring tool was used to determine the surface pressure generated on apples.The article shows that there is a relationship between the ergonomics of apples harvesting and the surface pressures exerted on the apples. The picker's position and the height from which the apples are obtained affect the quality of the fruit. Determining the ergonomic position of the picker improves the comfort of work, but also reduces the surface pressure exerted on the apples. Based on the results of the research, it was found that the most optimal height from which apples should be obtained is 1000 mm. The highest values of surface pressure were measured for 500 mm and 2000 mm pick heights. In addition, at the stage of filling and transporting of apples into a sack or other container, the shoulder and thumb muscles showed the greatest activity. A new method proposed by the authors allows to effectively determine the values of surface pressures exerted on the picker's hand and an impact on fruit harvest ergonomics. The above procedure can be successfully used to assess picker’s effort while harvesting other fruit varieties.