Occupational risk factor in grape cultivation and its ergo-solution
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Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CCSHAU
Abstract
Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is an important fruit crop in India. Grapes are the third most widely
cultivated fruit after citrus and banana. Major grape – growing states are Maharashtra, Karnataka,
Andhra- Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and the north- western region covering Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, western,
Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Grape farming is less in physical nature but more in
skillfully nature. Grape farming cultivation result in various health hazards and risks. The specific
objective were the study on work profile and working conditions in grape cultivation, to assess the
occupational risks in grape cultivation, to develop an ergo solution for highly risk prone activity in
grape cultivation. The present study entitled” occupational risk factor in grape cultivation and its ergo
solution” was conducted in three phases, phase-I three districts of Haryana state were selected
purposively in consultation with Horticultural Department of Haryana state, where grape cultivation is
being done and six grape orchards from these districts was selected randomly for the field study. PhaseII two Grape orchards were selected randomly for field experiment out of the six grape orchards
selected in phase I. Phase-III. An ergo solution was developed in Phase III The feedback of ergo
solution was also taken. For collecting the relevant data as per objective an interview schedule was
prepared. Results revealed that a huge majority of respondents were doing grape farming from more
than 9 years. Cent percent of the respondents were taking rest in between the work with length of work
period 4-8 hours per days. Majority of the respondents were taking rest period of 60-120 min.
Maximum problems faced by the grape orchard workers was postural problem, injuries/cuts, work
place problem, physical problem, problem due to pesticides, problem due to work, problem due to high
temperature and economic problem. In winter season temperature, light, humidity was below
recommended value and CO2
and suspended particles matter were above recommended value. In
summer season temperature and suspended particles matter were above recommended value and CO
2
and humidity and light below recommended value. Occupational risk was assessed through on the basis
of physical load, biomechanical stress, physiological load and time load. On the basis of physical load
and total repetitive strain in the grape cultivation pruning and harvesting activity had highest
occupational risk. Maximum musculoskeltal discomforts of workers in grape cultivation were in
harvesting activity. As per biomechanical stress and physiological load and time load pruning followed
by harvesting were risky activity. Hence ergo solution was developed for these activities. The
Acceptability of improved grape pruning secateurs highlighted that appearances and easy to work
highest rank. Feasibility index of grape pruning secateurs was 93.2 indicating that it was highly feasible
for them to use. The acceptability of ergo stool for pruning and harvesting highlighted that appearances
and acceptable for use got highest rank. Feasibility index of ergo stool for pruning and harvesting was
82.8 indicated that ergo stool for pruning and harvesting was acceptable to the users.
Description
Keywords
Grape harvesting, Cultivation, Pruning, Occupation risk