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Ergonomic exposures in apple harvesting: Preliminary observations
Author(s) -
Fulmer Scott,
Punnett Laura,
Tucker Slingerland D.,
EarleRichardson Giulia
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.10087
Subject(s) - medicine , back injury , work (physics) , intervention (counseling) , physical therapy , occupational safety and health , physical medicine and rehabilitation , operations management , environmental health , mechanical engineering , nursing , engineering , pathology
Background Recent research on occupational injury to apple harvest workers in New York and Pennsylvania indicates that muscle strain is one of their leading problems. A descriptive study of ergonomic risks for strains of the shoulder and lower back among apple harvesters was carried out to identify opportunities for intervention. Methods Based upon pilot observation in four orchards, a Posture‐Activities‐Tools‐Handling (PATH) data collection template was designed and used to analyze the work of fifty‐one workers in eight additional apple orchards. Results Physical loading on the shoulder appears to result from three major factors: reaching to pick apples with elbows over shoulder height; downward pressure from the bucket's strap in contact with the collarbone; and strain from carrying the ladder. Strain to the back appeared to come from three circumstances: static, awkward picking postures; bending to empty the picking bucket into the bin; and supporting a full load of the apples with the lower back. Conclusion Possible intervention strategies are suggested, with emphasis on direct communication and active involvement on the part of the growers and harvesters. Am. J. Ind. Med. Suppl. 2:3–9, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.