Development and validation of a proactive ergonomics intervention targeting seasonal agricultural workers

Abstract

Seasonal agricultural workers hired for physically demanding tasks are especially at risk of experiencing work-related musculoskeletal disorders, the most common of all non-fatal agricultural injuries. Best practices in ergonomics can prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Seasonal agricultural workers can be protected from musculoskeletal disorders through the applied use of reactive, proactive, and prospective ergonomics. Ergonomics in agriculture needs to identify the occupational tasks that could cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders seasonal agricultural workers, develop and test practical solutions for protecting these workers (including increasing musculoskeletal tissue tolerance by implementing exercise interventions), and provide a solution for intervention adoption within the industry. A manual weed removal study was conducted to determine the occupational risk of injury for seasonal agricultural workers hired for canola crops. A proactive exercise intervention was developed for seasonal agricultural workers to use as a preseason training program. Recommendations for implementing this work into the canola industry of Canada are provided in the concluding chapter.