Small Changes Make Big Differences: The Role of Ergonomics in Agriculture

Details

• Personal Author:
  Duraj V ; Fathallah F
• Description:
  Agriculture is one of the most hazardous occupations, not only in terms of fatalities but also musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs are injuries to and compromised function of the body's system of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and spinal discs. Ergonomics is the term we commonly use in the evaluation and design of tools and workplaces to minimize the risk of MSDs. Ergonomics is about fitting the job to the worker, by looking at the worker-workplace interface and helping workers avoid awkward postures, excessive forces, and repetitive motions. The term is based on two Greek words: ergon, meaning work, and nomos, meaning natural laws. Its first use can be traced to 1857, which was around the time when significant strides were being made in the early mechanization of agriculture. Looking at this topic from the worker's perspective, the area of biomechanics is about understanding the motions, forces, and mechanisms of the body, from overall movements to specific muscles, tendons, and other tissues. Broadening this concept of human capabilities and limitations is the area of human factors, in which cognitive, physiological, psychological, and social elements are considered in the overall worker-workplace interface for improving safety and health. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Agriculture Biomechanical Phenomena Ergonomics Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Agricultural Workers Biomechanics Body Mechanics MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders Posture Repetitive Work
• ISSN:
  1076-3333
• Publisher:
  American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement ; Grant
• Genre:
  Newsletter
• Place as Subject:
  California ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  12-13
• Volume:
  24
• Issue:
  6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062233
• Citation:
  Resource 2017 Nov/Dec; 24(6):12-13
• Email:
  fathallah@ucdavis.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  University of California - Davis
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20010930
• Source Full Name:
  Resource: Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World
• End Date:
  20270929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e7041ed269cb8af4dce9ad64755aa3485276d69a58ab945e736e3aa1c048b9194d91dc1a77070f84ac85c63039cc166a00d542b3680c8a5de24b66740ab771ba
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225524/cdc_225524_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 232.86 KB ]