Application study: Biomechanical overload in agriculture

Abstract

This project has the goal of defining the basic criteria for producing a guide (Technical Report-TR) for the specific use of the ISO 11228 series, of ISO 11226 and of ISO TR 12295 [4–8] in the agricultural sector. Specifically, the project is aimed at providing the potential users with additional information on how to use existing standards in a world widespread working sector as agriculture where, also if with different characteristics, biomechanical overload is a relevant aspect, WMSDs occurrence is very high and where specific preventive actions are needed. One of the main goals is therefore to provide all users, and particularly those who are not experts in ergonomics, with criteria and practical procedures for a correct risk analysis. Method as checklist OCRA, NIOSH, carrying, push and pull evaluation are used, applied to annual multitask analysis, through the use of original software by EPM IES, free download from www.epmresearch.org.