Ergonomic Risk Factors Involved in Using Backpack Pesticide Sprayers: A Study of Farmers, Ban Don Fai, Mae Tha District, Lampang Province
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Abstract
The purpose of this research was to assess the ergonomic risks faced by farmers of the Ban Don Fai, Mae Tha District, Lampang Province, when using backpack pesticide sprayers. The study involved cross-sectional descriptive research using questionnaires, job safety analysis (JSA), and rapid entire body assessment (REBA). Purposive sampling resulted in 15 farmers being participants. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. The results of the work analysis revealed that a farmer's use of backpack pesticide sprayers involves risks due to both improper operation and poor working conditions. Ergonomic risk assessment, as measured by the rapid body assessment (REBA), found that the lifting and carrying of the sprayer had a score of 11. This means that there is a very high ergonomic risk and conditions should be improved immediately. This risk factor was followed by the chemical mixing process, including stirring the chemical mixture, pouring the mixture into the sprayer, and the chemical spraying process (a score of 10). This indicates that there is a high ergonomic risk and the process should be improved. Data shows that the farmers face significant ergonomic risks when using backpack pesticide sprayers. Therefore, the overall working conditions should be improved along with sharing knowledge to instill safe work practices and attitudes to reduce long-term ergonomic risk factors.
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