Microclimate conditions and stress factors effecting farm machine operators during harvest
2016
Zewdie, R., Czech Univ. of Life Sciences, Prague (Czech Republic) | Kic, P., Czech Univ. of Life Sciences, Prague (Czech Republic)
Agricultural machinery operators are exposed to unfavourable working weather conditions, which eventually may lead to their health problem. Beside extreme cold winter and heat in summer, operators often encounter heavy and predominant workload primarily during the summer harvest time. Due consideration is not given enough to resolve the problem of prolonged static exertion and its effect. This research finding specifies the stress caused by microclimate influence on farm machine operators. Farm machine operators basically drive over rough agricultural terrain and perform plentiful activities in short-distances. These manipulations lead to fatigue related stress by the actual workload on farm fields. This paper presents the outcome of the stress factors affecting the observed engagements carried out by two different farm machinery operators; i.e. the tractor and combine harvester in their respective working processes. Data on operators’ heart rate variation and thermal variation in the drivers’ cabin were carefully collected throughout the course of harvest and transport performance. The significance of farm field segments, operators’ extra manipulations activity as well as obstacles occurred while performing the harvest and transportation were the substantial data. The core finding of this research is the presumption of the cause of the changes of heart rate variation.
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