Workload composition of the organic horticulture

This project aimed the characterization of the physical workload of the organic horticulture by determining the frequency of exposure of operators to some activity categories. To do this, an adaptation of the PATH method (Posture, Activities, Tools and Handling) was done to be used in the context of agriculture work. The approach included an evaluation of physical effort demanded to perform the tasks in the work systems from an systematic sampling of work situations from a synchronized monitoring of the heart rate; a characterization of posture repertoire adopted by workers by adapting the OWAS method; an identification of pain body areas using the Corlett diagram; and a subjective evaluation of perceived effort using the RPE Borg scale. The results of the individual assessments were cross correlated and explained from an observation of the work activity. Postural demands were more significant than cardiovascular demands for the studied tasks, and correlated positively with the expressions of bodily discomfort. It is expected that, besides the knowledge obtained of the physical effort demanded by organic horticulture, this project will be useful for the development of new technologies directed to minimize the difficulties of the human work and to raise the work productivity.4115355536

Work organization and technological resources in broiler production - An ergonomics approach

Ergonomic Work Analysis has made it possible to identify the main factors behind the difficulties encountered by workers in (routinely) performing their tasks. The purpose of this work was studying the relationship between the forms of work organization, the technology used in broiler production, and the impacts of both factors on this type of work from an ergonomics perspective. Both teamwork and cooperation among workers were proven to help minimizing efforts and achieving better results. If on one hand higher technological level adopted could elicit using a smaller number of workers as well as make broiler handling easier and more effective/precise, on the other hand it generated sub-tasks and made equipment operation much more dependent upon close supervision by the workers. So at the same time as the physical stress on the workers was being reduced with lighter load being carried, psychic stress was being increased with the pressure of close supervision. The analysis of production results expressed by the Production Factor (PF) indicator used in an advanced trend analysis using the Technology Utility tool, has shown that properties with a totally or partly familial workforce achieved better production results than those using a patronal workforce, possibly resulting from the fact that workers within a family-based workforce have more autonomy and, therefore, become more motivated to pursue their goals, and that facilitates achieving good results.631465

Computational simulation for the development of packages for bananas

This study proposes a methodology for designing boxes for agricultural products based on computational simulation and experimental validation, seeking the integrated optimization of geometric, structural and thermal aspects associated with cooling and refrigerated storage. The Finite Element Method was used for structural dimensioning and optimization. It was implemented using the ANSYS program, obtaining eight virtual models with 10% and 14% of effective opening area with square, rectangular or circular geometry. In order to develop the experiments that evaluated the relation between effective opening area and seven-eighths cooling time, the prototypes were built using reforestation wood (Pinnus elliotti). Approximately 13 kg of bananas (Musa cavendishii cultivar nanica) were packed in the boxes and cooled in a forced-air tunnel (air flow of 0.32 m(3) s(-1), temperature of 8.0 +/- 1.2 degrees C and relative humidity of 84.5 +/- 2.6%). Cooling time was also compared with the one obtained when the same amount of bananas was cooled in the boxes used to transport and store bananas commercially (cardboard box with 2% of effective opening area and a wooden box called "torito" with 18% of effective opening area). The results showed no significant differences in cooling time of bananas packed in boxes with circular, square and rectangular opening, with average cooling time of 40.71 +/- 2.81 min. However, when compared with cardboard and torito boxes, there was a significant difference in cooling time of 1.25 to 2 times the time obtained with wooden boxes. In the structural optimization of the EC-60 box (twelve 60 mm in diameter side orifices and 10% of effective opening area); material volume was reduced in 67.3% in relation to the project initial conditions. In compression tests, the box rupture occurred at loads between 5.4 kN and 8.1 kN, values 3 to 4 times heavier than the imposed project condition (2.0 kN). The computational simulation with optimization algorithms associated with cooling time experiments are promising resources to help in the box design for transporting products.301798

Complexity and ergonomy: the manager work at the organic agriculture in Campinas-SP Brazil

The lack of research about the human work at the Organic agriculture stimulated this Study, which purpose was to characterize and understand the manager's job in managing organic farming. The field research was carried out In two stages. and allowed to investigate managers' work at organic agricultural production units (UPAO) from the interior of Sao Paulo state, through an adaptation of the ergonomics' analysis method (A ET) and structured interviews. The data collected were further interpreted in the light of the complexity theory (TC). It was possible 10 infer that the organic agricultural manager is accountable for a macro production system (vegetable, animal, processing and services). where the manager acts simultaneously as the administrator and also as the job performer The wide products variety offered by the organic agriculture demands an expertise from the manager in Order to deal with the different vegetable specimens and their integration with the remaining production systems. It wax concluded that the work performed by the managers is characterized by the diversity of activities, that need to be prepared and integrated within a macro system, associated with the certification process determinants, in absence of suitable technology context and uncertain and multiple scenarios. It comes to the manager to incorporate and to transform into work practices the ecological, economical and social sustainability principles, which can be contradictory among each other. They can integrate these multiple dimensions through the development and connection of several competences and knowledge, as well as elaborate strategies to overcome multiple difficulties related to the organic agriculture's technological, financial and human aspects.40231832

Protective gloves on manual sugar cane cutting are really effective?

Problems related to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), specially the use of protective gloves for the manual sugar cane cutting, motivated this research, made possible by a tripartite negotiation involving the Ministry of Labor, the Union of Rural Workers and the Employer's Association of sugarcane agribusiness. The main objective was to evaluate, from an ergonomics perspective, the impact of use of the gloves during the manual cane sugar cutting, raising questions on safety, effectiveness and comfort. The research was carried in a sugarcane industry of Sao Paulo for two seasons involving 47 workers who made a qualitative analysis of acceptance of four models of protective gloves. The methodology included the use of semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and field observations and the experimental determination of the coefficient of static friction developed between the gloves and the surfaces of the machete handle. The main results indicate the general inadequacy of the gloves currently used forcing the employees to improvise. Workers found the glove of leather and nylon scraping the best reported for comfort in use. The overall results highlight the problem of detachment of test standards for the manufacture of PPE, ignoring users and the activity to be performed.4114963496