Ergonomic Interventions To Improve Health, Comfort, and Productivity of Saffron Pickers. Human Solutions Human Solutions for Human Problems

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Austin Leonard
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1 Ergonomic Interventions To Improve Health, Comfort, and Productivity of Saffron Pickers for Human Problems

2 Recommended Solutions Implementing Changes Table of Contents: Power Point Presentation (pages 3-20) Notes, if available can be accessed by clicking the note icon on the top right hand corner of the page. Folder away pamphlet (pages 21-23)

Solutions Implementing Changes What we learned from you, our client: Saffron pickers include: men, women, children Limited picking season Worker conditions include Varied postures Long days Current

3 Solutions Implementing Changes What we learned from you, our client: Saffron pickers include: men, women, children Limited picking season Worker conditions include Varied postures Long days Current conditions leave room for improvement musculoskeletal health on-set of fatigue Saffron considerations: Stamens must be hand picked Plants grow low to the ground Flowers bulbs must be preserved for next flowering cycle A solution that meets your needs Low cost intervention Applicable in the Saffron fields Usability of intervention Age Gender Improves musculoskeletal health

4 Solutions Implementing Changes Our mission To look at the saffron picking process with the following in mind Opportunities to better working conditions Opportunities to increase workers' comfort Opportunities to increase productivity and efficiency

5 Solutions Implementing Changes Postures we have observed in photos and videos: Examples of Postures: Squatting, Stooping, Kneeling Focus: Postural Analysis

6 Stooping: Arm Supported by thigh REBA SCORE: 10 Solutions Implementing Changes Kneeling: Hand Supported by Floor REBA SCORE: 7 Left (1): Field Observation Right (4): Posture Simulation Squatting REBA SCORE: 6 Left(1): Field Observation; Right (4): Posture Simulation Left(1): Field Observation; Right (4): Posture Simulation Focus: Postural Analysis

Solutions Implementing Changes Preferred Posture: Squatting, with the following considerations: Position body closer to crocus beds Minimizes extension of the arm at the shoulder Reduces angle of

7 Solutions Implementing Changes Preferred Posture: Squatting, with the following considerations: Position body closer to crocus beds Minimizes extension of the arm at the shoulder Reduces angle of bending at the torso Squat with symmetrically positioned legs Pick by feel (crocus blossom)) Helps avoid twisting and turning of the neck Keep arm close to body: not abducted Do not raise shoulders Try to support arm with knees The squat posture is supported by Literature Simulation Focus: Postural Analysis

8 Solutions Implementing Changes The preferred posture was simulated and tested using REBA REBA score: 4 Focus: Postural Analysis

9 Solutions Implementing Changes Fatigue Index Summary Risk Index Summary Focus: Rest Breaks

10 Current Time Management: Solutions Implementing Changes Fatigue Index: Avg: 21.8 Min: 1.0 Max: 30.3 Risk Index: Avg: 1.5 Min: Max: Focus: Rest Breaks

11 Solutions Implementing Changes Recommended Time Management: Fatigue Index: Avg: 21.8 Min: 1.2 Max: 30.3 Risk Index: Avg: 1.48 Min: Max: Focus: Rest Breaks

12 Solutions Implementing Changes Fatigue Index Summary Risk Index Summary Focus: Rest Breaks

13 Solutions Implementing Changes We acknowledge that habits are hard to change This is especially true for saffron pickers who have used the same techniques for years. Successful methods for promoting changes Modeling and simulation to demonstrate changes Farm safety day camps Media awareness campaign Brief 60 minute training programs

14 Solutions Implementing Changes We suggest implementing changes through 1. A brief training program Model the behavioral intervention suggested posture Provide saffron pickers with an easy to understand pamphlet 2. Managements changes: Allow saffron pickers to choose when to take a break Offer incentives, such as water breaks 3. A pocket-sized, easy to understand pamphlet with recommended postures and rest break schedules (Example)

15 Solutions Implementing Changes A pocket-sized, easy to understand pamphlet with recommended postures and rest break schedules: Side 1 Side 2

Solutions Implementing Changes Long Term * Change Field Design Prone Cart/Workstation * We are aware that these solutions may not be realistic at this point

16 Solutions Implementing Changes Long Term * Change Field Design Prone Cart/Workstation * We are aware that these solutions may not be realistic at this point in time. However, they are valid possibilities for the future. They should not be dismissed but rather examined for future implementation in saffron production.

postural stress Work becomes less strenuous *Perhaps

17 Solutions Implementing Changes inspiration Change Field Design Raised Plant Beds Benefits: Eliminates source of postural stress Work becomes less strenuous *Perhaps this can be considered as new bulbs are planted inspiration

18 Solutions Implementing Changes Prone Cart/Workstation Neutral Spinal Posture Subjects report less discomfort, fatigue as well as increased productivity

19 Executive Summary Our strategy is a multi-faceted intervention to improve worker health and productivity by altering posture and rest break schedule Our solution delivers... o A lower-risk posture recommendation that reduces musculoskeletal risk for workers o A new, complete schedule that provides more rest breaks, reduces fatigue, and allows for 1 extra hour of sleep per night, but maintains productivity Our process is optimal because it o examines opportunities for improvement o research/literature based o analysis (REBA) and simulation, fatigue calculator Our solution is optimal because it is o cost effective o allows for immediate implementation o can be tailored to different needs (adaptable for a variety of laborers) o multi-dimensional

20 References Chapman LJ, Newenhouse AC, Pereira KM, Karsh BT, Meyer RM, Brunette CM, Ehlers JJ. (2008) Evaluation of a Four Year Intervention to Reduce Musculoskeletal Hazards Among Berry Growers, Journal of Safety Research 39: Dababneh, Awwad J., Swanson, Naomi and Shell, Richard L.(2001) 'Impact of added rest breaks on the productivity and well being of workers', Ergonomics, 44: 2, Lilley, R. (2007). Effective occupational health interventions in agriculture: An international literature review of primary interventions designed to reduce injury and disease in agriculture. Dunedin, N.Z.: Injury Prevention Research Unit, University of Otago. Lilley R, Feyer AM, Kirk P, et al.(2002) A survey of forest workers in New Zealand. Do hours of work, rest, and recovery play a role in accidents and injury? J Safety Res, 33(1): Matilla, T., Muuttomaa, E., Peltonen, M., The Development of Strawberry Picking Methods, MTT Agrofood Research Finland, Agricultural Engineering Research, Vihti, Finland. Samann, W., Character tables and effects of work attitudes, ergonomics and practice. Ergonomics and Practice (table translated from German). Spencer MB, Robertson KA, Folkard S (2006) The development of a fatigue/ risk index for shift workers. Health and Safety Executive Report no 446. Available at: rrhtm/rr446. htm Vos, H.W. (1973). Physical workload in different body postures, while working near to, or below ground level. Ergonomics. 16 (6), Fatigue Index: Citations used in Notes Section: Context and The Musculoskeletal Problem/Consequences Interventions 1&_user=492137&_coverDate=09%2F30%2F2007&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId= &_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C &_ version=1&_urlversion=0&_userid=492137&md5=e319d9dd0cee3b0eec85a1daefbcc8ec

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Four ergonomics interventions for saffron-picking Alvin Bond, Justine Dupal, Parminder Kaur and Thomas Levine. March 16, 2010

Four ergonomics interventions for saffron-picking Alvin Bond, Justine Dupal, Parminder Kaur and Thomas Levine March 16, 2010 1 Related work Little ergonomics research has been done on saffron-picking,