Human Solutions Report - Cornell University Ergonomics Web
Human Solutions Report - Cornell University Ergonomics Web
Human Solutions Report - Cornell University Ergonomics Web
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Ergonomic Interventions<br />
To Improve Health, Comfort, and Productivity<br />
of Saffron Pickers<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong><br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong> for <strong>Human</strong> Problems
Current<br />
Situation<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong><br />
Implementing<br />
Changes<br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
Table of Contents:<br />
Power Point Presentation (pages 3- 20)<br />
Notes, if available can be accessed by clicking the note icon on<br />
the top right hand corner of the page.<br />
Folder away pamphlet (pages 21- 23)<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
What we learned from you, our client:<br />
• Saffron pickers include: men, women, children<br />
• Limited picking season<br />
• Worker conditions include<br />
◦ Varied postures<br />
◦ Long days<br />
• Current conditions leave room for improvement<br />
◦ musculoskeletal health<br />
◦ on-set of fatigue<br />
• Saffron considerations:<br />
◦ Stamens must be hand picked<br />
◦ Plants grow low to the ground<br />
◦ Flowers bulbs must be preserved for next flowering cycle<br />
• A solution that meets your needs<br />
◦ Low cost intervention<br />
◦ Applicable in the Saffron fields<br />
◦ Usability of intervention<br />
Age<br />
Gender<br />
◦ Improves musculoskeletal health<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
• Our mission<br />
◦ To look at the saffron picking process with the following in<br />
mind…<br />
Opportunities to better working conditions<br />
Opportunities to increase workers' comfort<br />
Opportunities to increase productivity and efficiency<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
• Postures we have observed in photos and videos:<br />
Examples of Postures:<br />
Squatting, Stooping, Kneeling<br />
Focus: Postural Analysis<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Stooping: Arm Supported by thigh<br />
REBA SCORE: 10<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
Kneeling: Hand Supported by Floor<br />
REBA SCORE: 7<br />
Left (1): Field Observation<br />
Right (4): Posture Simulation<br />
Squatting<br />
REBA SCORE: 6<br />
Left(1): Field Observation; Right (4): Posture Simulation<br />
Left(1): Field Observation; Right (4): Posture Simulation<br />
Focus: Postural Analysis<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
Preferred Posture:<br />
• Squatting, with the following considerations:<br />
◦ Position body closer to crocus beds<br />
Minimizes extension of the arm at the shoulder<br />
Reduces angle of bending at the torso<br />
◦ Squat with symmetrically positioned legs<br />
◦ Pick by feel (crocus blossom))<br />
Helps avoid twisting and turning of the neck<br />
◦ Keep arm close to body: not abducted<br />
◦ Do not raise shoulders<br />
◦ Try to support arm with knees<br />
• The squat posture is supported by<br />
◦ Literature<br />
◦ Simulation<br />
Focus: Postural Analysis<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
• The preferred posture was simulated and tested using<br />
REBA<br />
◦ REBA score: 4<br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
Focus: Postural Analysis<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
Fatigue Index Summary<br />
Risk Index Summary<br />
Focus: Rest Breaks<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Current Time Management:<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
Fatigue Index:<br />
Avg: 21.8<br />
Min: 1.0<br />
Max: 30.3<br />
Risk Index:<br />
Avg: 1.5<br />
Min: 0.692<br />
Max: 2.301<br />
Focus: Rest Breaks<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Recommended Time Management:<br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
Fatigue Index:<br />
Avg: 21.8<br />
Min: 1.2<br />
Max: 30.3<br />
Risk Index:<br />
Avg: 1.48<br />
Min: 0.624<br />
Max: 2.325<br />
Focus: Rest Breaks<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
Fatigue Index Summary<br />
Risk Index Summary<br />
Focus: Rest Breaks<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
• We acknowledge that habits are hard to change<br />
◦ This is especially true for saffron pickers who have used the<br />
same techniques for years.<br />
• Successful methods for promoting changes<br />
◦ Modeling and simulation to demonstrate changes<br />
◦ Farm safety day camps<br />
◦ Media awareness campaign<br />
◦ Brief 60 minute training programs<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
• We suggest implementing changes through<br />
1. A brief training program<br />
Model the behavioral intervention – suggested posture<br />
Provide saffron pickers with an easy to understand pamphlet<br />
2. Managements changes:<br />
Allow saffron pickers to choose when to take a break<br />
Offer incentives, such as water breaks<br />
3. A pocket-sized, easy to understand pamphlet with<br />
recommended postures and rest break schedules (Example)<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
• A pocket-sized, easy to understand pamphlet with<br />
recommended postures and rest break schedules:<br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
Side 1<br />
Side 2<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
• Long Term Considerations*<br />
◦ Change Field Design<br />
◦ Prone Cart/Workstation<br />
* We are aware that these solutions<br />
may not be realistic at this point in<br />
time. However, they are valid<br />
possibilities for the future. They<br />
should not be dismissed but rather<br />
examined for future implementation<br />
in saffron production.<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
inspiration<br />
• Change Field Design<br />
◦ Raised Plant Beds<br />
◦ Benefits:<br />
Eliminates source of<br />
postural stress<br />
Work becomes less strenuous<br />
*Perhaps this can be considered as new bulbs are planted<br />
inspiration<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Current<br />
Situation<br />
<br />
Opportunities for<br />
Improvement<br />
Recommended<br />
<strong>Solutions</strong> Implementing<br />
Changes <br />
Future<br />
Considerations<br />
• Prone Cart/Workstation<br />
◦ Neutral Spinal Posture<br />
◦ Subjects report less<br />
discomfort, fatigue as well as<br />
increased productivity<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
Executive Summary<br />
Our strategy is a multi-faceted intervention to improve worker health and<br />
productivity by altering posture and rest break schedule<br />
Our solution delivers...<br />
o A lower-risk posture recommendation that reduces musculoskeletal risk for<br />
workers<br />
o A new, complete schedule that provides more rest breaks, reduces fatigue,<br />
and allows for 1 extra hour of sleep per night, but maintains productivity<br />
Our process is optimal because it…<br />
o examines opportunities for improvement<br />
o research/literature based<br />
o analysis (REBA) and simulation, fatigue calculator<br />
Our solution is optimal because it is…<br />
o cost effective<br />
o allows for immediate implementation<br />
o can be tailored to different needs (adaptable for a variety of laborers)<br />
o multi-dimensional<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
References<br />
• Chapman LJ, Newenhouse AC, Pereira KM, Karsh BT, Meyer RM, Brunette CM, Ehlers JJ. (2008) Evaluation of a Four Year Intervention to Reduce Musculoskeletal<br />
Hazards Among Berry Growers, Journal of Safety Research 39: 215–224.<br />
• Dababneh, Awwad J., Swanson, Naomi and Shell, Richard L.(2001) 'Impact of added rest breaks on the productivity and well being of workers', <strong>Ergonomics</strong>, 44: 2, 164 — 174<br />
• Lilley, R. (2007). Effective occupational health interventions in agriculture: An international literature review of primary interventions designed to reduce<br />
injury and disease in agriculture. Dunedin, N.Z.: Injury Prevention Research Unit, <strong>University</strong> of Otago.<br />
• 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): 53–<br />
71<br />
• Matilla, T., Muuttomaa, E., Peltonen, M., 2002. The Development of Strawberry Picking Methods, MTT Agrofood Research Finland, Agricultural Engineering<br />
Research, Vihti, Finland.<br />
• Samann, W., 1970. Character tables and effects of work attitudes, ergonomics and practice. <strong>Ergonomics</strong> and Practice (table translated from German).<br />
• Spencer MB, Robertson KA, Folkard S (2006) The development of a fatigue/ risk index for shift workers. Health and Safety Executive <strong>Report</strong> no 446. Available<br />
at: www.hse.gov.uk/research/ rrhtm/rr446. htm<br />
• Vos, H.W. (1973). Physical workload in different body postures, while working near to, or below ground level. <strong>Ergonomics</strong>. 16 (6), 817-28.<br />
• http://ag-ergo.ucdavis.edu/papers/435028.Stooped_smallsize.pdf<br />
• Fatigue Index: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr446.htm<br />
Citations used in Notes Section:<br />
• Context and Considerations<br />
◦ http://www.tarvandsaffron.com/contact.htm<br />
◦ http://www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/Pubs/articles/tipsheets.pdf<br />
◦ http://www.europeansaffron.eu/index.phpm1=13&lang=en<br />
◦ http://books.google.com/bookshl=en&lr=&id=kO8prjfiiCEC&oi=fnd&pg=PA59&dq=saffron+picking&ots=0jGgegNs6B&sig=hZehp2xSgtnoV9tgLiUUKOpBWA#v=onepage&q=saffron%20picking&f=false<br />
• The Musculoskeletal Problem/Consequences<br />
◦ http://ag-ergo.ucdavis.edu/papers/435028.Stooped_smallsize.pdf<br />
• Interventions<br />
◦ http://www.youtube.com/watchv=-B0M8Ylt5xM&feature=related<br />
◦ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V1W-4MCWB0H-<br />
1&_user=492137&_coverDate=09%2F30%2F2007&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1210580495&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000022719&_<br />
version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=492137&md5=e319d9dd0cee3b0eec85a1daefbcc8ec<br />
◦ http://www.ilcaustralia.com/home/search4.aspState=WA&MC=64&MinC=20&Item=2797&page=3<br />
<strong>Human</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong>
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