Preliminary data on injuries bringing migrant and seasonal farm workers into farm worker health centers indicate that muscle strains are the leading category, representing 28% of all reported injuries at 11 New York State and Pennsylvania health centers. On-site observations of work tasks in orchard fruit harvesting have been carried out in order to characterize the ergonomic stressors involved. Eighty workers in 12 farms in New York State and Pennsylvania were observed in August through October, 1999. Observed pickers were exposed to a variety of risk factors for cumulative trauma to shoulders and lower back. The strap supporting full fruit bags creates considerable impact on shoulder tissue, while reaching and picking with both arms raised above shoulder height is observed more often than with both arms down. Placing bag contents into a bin requires an awkward and moderately forceful lift 80 - 200x/day, requiring severe forward flexion when the bin is less than half-full. Ladder handling is an additional stress required for semi-dwarf and full-sized trees, and ladder usage exposes pickers to fall injuries. The results of these job observations are being used to develop and prioritize recommendations for injury prevention. To reduce impact on shoulders, for example, a vest could add firm padding to shoulder (and ribs) without restricting movement. Bins with hinged walls on hydraulic lift trailers would reduce exposure to risk factors for back strain. Training on ladder use in native languages would help.
Learning Objectives: Describe three ergonomic hazards to migrant orchard workers, and discuss a potential method to reduce exposure to each hazard
Keywords: Ergonomics, Migrant Workers
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.