Blootstelling van plaaswerkers aan stof, enkele gevaarlike chemiese substansies en swak ergonomiese toestande

Abstract

In this study an investigation was done on the occupational exposure of farm-wokers on two different farms to dust, dangerous chemical substances and poor ergonomic conditions in the processing and packaging of maize, as well as the preparation of the lands for the next planting season. The vocational exposure to dust and dangerous chemical substances that was monitored was evaluated according to recognised standards and recommendations were made. High total respiratory graindust exposures were found in two milling machine operators on farm A The two workers were involved in the area of the mill where bags were filled. The time weighted average exposure of the milling machine operator at farm B was not high, but he worked in a area with high concentrations of grain-dust. The use of FF2 respirators is recommended for the milling machine operators on both the farms. Recommendations were also made as regards the care of babies of two mothers working in the milling room. Respirable nuisance dust surveys were done on the tractor-operators on farm A Only one of the tractor operators was exposed to high enough nuisance dust levels to justify the analysis for a-quarts. Observations of the body positions of the tractor operators while busy with their tasks were made, and it was found that they run the risk of developing lower back problems as a result of chronic bending and twisting of the lumbar area of the back. Recommendations were made as to the installation of a seat that can rotate to eliminate twisting and bending of the lower back while executing their tasks. A few ergonomic observations were made in respect of the design of tractor seats, unsafe actions and apparatus. Remarks were made about safe practices already in place. It was found that the majority of the tractor seats satisfied the prescriptions of the manufacturer SINCANLI. One tractor's seat was in a poor condition, and recommendations were made to rectify the problem. Observations on unsafe apparatus and handling thereof, were photographed and recommendations were made to make the work place as safe as possible. In this study it was found that the occupational exposure of farm workers differ from worker to worker but exposure to niusance dust, a-quarts, grain dust and poor ergonomic conditions could be a problem.