{"title":"A review of the ergonomic problems of agricultural activities in connection with mechanization: Some Iranian farm works as instances.","authors":"Abdollah Hayati, Afshin Marzban","doi":"10.1177/10519815251351602","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundAgricultural mechanization has transformed global farming productivity, yet many developing nations like Iran continue to face significant ergonomic challenges. Traditional farming methods persist in key sectors (date palm, saffron, dairy, vegetables, and sesame), exposing workers to hazardous conditions. These issues are compounded by uneven mechanization adoption and socioeconomic barriers in rural communities.ObjectiveThis study aims to review ergonomic risks in Iran's labor-intensive agricultural operations, analyze the effectiveness of current mechanization solutions, and identify practical interventions to improve worker health without compromising productivity. The study focuses on five mentioned economically critical sectors.MethodsWe conducted a review of 27 peer-reviewed studies (2005-2024) from Iranian and international databases. Inclusion criteria prioritized field-based ergonomic assessments, mechanization trials, and intervention studies in English/Persian. Data were synthesized to compare risks across operations and evaluate solution efficacy.ResultsThree key patterns emerged: (1) Mechanization improved work speed (e.g., 0.96 ha/labor-hour for plowing vs. 0.002 ha/labor-hour manual harvesting) but often introduced new risks (e.g., static postures in milking parlors); (2) Simple interventions showed disproportionate benefits - modified climbing tools reduced fall risks in date orchards, while kneepads decreased musculoskeletal pain in saffron harvesting; (3) Crop-specific biological traits (e.g., saffron's ground clearance) limited mechanization more than socioeconomic factors alone.ConclusionsWe propose a three-tiered approach: (1) Immediate adoption of affordable ergonomic tools (harnesses, trolleys) in high-risk sectors; (2) Redesign of machinery to address crop-specific constraints; (3) Policy reforms to subsidize small-scale solutions. This balanced strategy could reduce injuries while maintaining Iran's agricultural output.</p>","PeriodicalId":51373,"journal":{"name":"Work-A Journal of Prevention Assessment & Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":"10519815251351602"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Work-A Journal of Prevention Assessment & Rehabilitation","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10519815251351602","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
BackgroundAgricultural mechanization has transformed global farming productivity, yet many developing nations like Iran continue to face significant ergonomic challenges. Traditional farming methods persist in key sectors (date palm, saffron, dairy, vegetables, and sesame), exposing workers to hazardous conditions. These issues are compounded by uneven mechanization adoption and socioeconomic barriers in rural communities.ObjectiveThis study aims to review ergonomic risks in Iran's labor-intensive agricultural operations, analyze the effectiveness of current mechanization solutions, and identify practical interventions to improve worker health without compromising productivity. The study focuses on five mentioned economically critical sectors.MethodsWe conducted a review of 27 peer-reviewed studies (2005-2024) from Iranian and international databases. Inclusion criteria prioritized field-based ergonomic assessments, mechanization trials, and intervention studies in English/Persian. Data were synthesized to compare risks across operations and evaluate solution efficacy.ResultsThree key patterns emerged: (1) Mechanization improved work speed (e.g., 0.96 ha/labor-hour for plowing vs. 0.002 ha/labor-hour manual harvesting) but often introduced new risks (e.g., static postures in milking parlors); (2) Simple interventions showed disproportionate benefits - modified climbing tools reduced fall risks in date orchards, while kneepads decreased musculoskeletal pain in saffron harvesting; (3) Crop-specific biological traits (e.g., saffron's ground clearance) limited mechanization more than socioeconomic factors alone.ConclusionsWe propose a three-tiered approach: (1) Immediate adoption of affordable ergonomic tools (harnesses, trolleys) in high-risk sectors; (2) Redesign of machinery to address crop-specific constraints; (3) Policy reforms to subsidize small-scale solutions. This balanced strategy could reduce injuries while maintaining Iran's agricultural output.
期刊介绍:
WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary, international journal which publishes high quality peer-reviewed manuscripts covering the entire scope of the occupation of work. The journal''s subtitle has been deliberately laid out: The first goal is the prevention of illness, injury, and disability. When this goal is not achievable, the attention focuses on assessment to design client-centered intervention, rehabilitation, treatment, or controls that use scientific evidence to support best practice.