![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090122114837im_/http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/images/line.jpg)
Robert Wilkinson and Anthony
Tilma
Michigan State University Extension
The
high productivity that American agriculture has achieved might
lead us to believe that humans possess a rather high level
of personal output or a high energy level.
This
is a mistaken conclusion! The best human body is a poor power
producer when compared to the output of a machine over a period
of time. Without machines (tractors, electric motors, engines,
etc.) we do not produce much "power." Tests show that on strictly
a power comparison, a motivated worker can be replaced by
a horsepower electric motor, and at a much lower cost. On
a horsepower basis, humans as a source of physical power are
not impressive, they cannot compare with our modern farm machines.
Still,
manual work remains an important part of agriculture as some
situations require the "hand tool" that only humans can provide.
Such things as the environment, physical restrictions, job
size, or operator care may dictate that the "hand tool" will
be the best way to handle the job.
Situations
that require a significant amount of hand work and materials
handling include shoveling, both soil and grain; moving manure
and animal bedding with a pitch fork; lifting hay bales or
crates or boxes of agricultural products; loading or unloading
sacks of feed, fertilizer or cement; or hammering and sawing.
Although
some situations can cause specific machine induced or repetitive
motion health-related problems such as "Raynaud's Syndrome"
(white fingers) and "carpal tunnel" these work-related injuries
are unusual (see Table 1). These injuries are caused from
repeated and extensive exposure of the hands and feet to vibration
(white fingers) or the repeated stress on the hands and wrists
from some constant repetitive motion (carpal tunnel) required
in some jobs.
Table 1. Manual work-related agricultural
injuries.
Disease |
Symptoms |
Possible
ag work sources/protection |
Raynaud's
Syndrome (white fingers)
| Numb
fingers, hands
| Long
periods using a chain saw or other tool that vibrates
|
Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome
| Sore
joints of hands, wrists, etc.
| Constant,
repeated motions over a long period of time (i.e. shoveling,
lifting bales, etc.)
|
Back
pain
| Sore
back
| Improper
lifting/bending techniques
|
Hand/skin
injuries
| Cuts,
blisters
| Protect
hands with gloves, remove or cover sharp edges on machinery
and other farm items
|
Slips/falls
| Bruises,
broken bones, joint pain
| Repair
or maintain walking/work surfaces
|
In general,
humans need to be aware of their limits when working in agricultural
tasks. These limits can be classed into three areas:
- Physical
- Physiological
- Mental
and emotional
The limits
of physical output are determined by the individual's size,
height, weight and body type. There are limits to performance
that, when exceeded, can lead to unsafe work situations. You
can only reach so far or lift so much. If the task requires
you to go beyond these limits then you need help. This help
might come in the form of a ladder, wrench, cart or someone
to provide an extra hand. Don't put yourself at risk by straining
and exceeding your limits. There's no extra reward for injuring
yourself.
Physiological
limits are determined by muscle tone, physical fitness, rest,
freedom from drug affects, good health and nutrition. A person's
physiological limits can vary from day to day and season to
season. Illness, fatigue, and lack of food or nutrition are
things that affect our limits on a more routine basis. The
wise worker will pay attention to these factors and provide
the healthful inputs that the body requires (i.e. frequent
short rest breaks, clean air and water, nutritious food and
adequate sleep). Experience and sensitivity to your body's
warning signs can usually prevent you from exceeding physiological
limits.
Mental
and emotional limits are usually more difficult to predict
and often will change from day to day, depending upon a worker's
mental stress level.
Although
a worker's basic mental capacity may not change (i.e. your
I.Q. tends to be constant) his or her emotional state can
have a profound affect upon work performance. If a person
has the mental capacity to understand a job, handle the information,
and make good decisions, s/he should be quite capable of safe
job performance.
However,
when a person is angry, has interpersonal (upsetting) problems,
or is preoccupied (finances, love life, family activities,
etc.) s/he may be distracted to the point where job performance
suffers. This usually productive worker becomes a work hazard.
Lastly, apathetic workers (i.e. a "who cares" attitude) are
definitely a safety hazard to anyone who must rely upon their
job performance. These individuals should never be in a position
where the safety and health of others depends on their job
function.
Considering
the mental-emotional aspects, the safest worker is the one
who is happy, content and well adjusted.
Working
safely and surviving in the agricultural work arena depends
on understanding worker limits and applying them in real work
situations.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090122114837im_/http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/images/line.jpg)
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This
information is for educational purposes only. Reference to
commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement
by the Cooperative Extension Service or bias against those
not mentioned. Cooperative Extension Service programs are
open to all without regard to race, color, national origin,
sex or handicap. MSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Institution.
|