Risk Assessment and Intervention of Ergonomic Risk Factor in Beekeeping
10.5393/JAMCH.2019.44.3.138
- Author:
Chanhwi LEE
1
;
Taesun KANG
Author Information
1. Department of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Ajou University, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
beekeeping;
beekeepers;
ergonomic risk;
musculoskeletal symptom;
risk assessment
- MeSH:
Beekeeping;
Korea;
Lifting;
Musculoskeletal System;
Prevalence;
Risk Assessment;
Risk Factors;
Self-Help Devices;
Urticaria
- From:Journal of Agricultural Medicine & Community Health
2019;44(3):138-143
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the ergonomic risk factors in beekeeping, and to evaluate the effectiveness of assistive device hive lift. METHODS: This study included 30 subjects of beekeeper in Pocheon, Korea. We assessed the ergonomic risk of main task in beekeeping with NLE, OWAS and evaluate the effectiveness of hive lift. We also surveyed prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among the subjects based on the Korea Working Condition Survey. RESULTS: Moving to different floral origin, internal inspection of beehives, feeding syrup is the most burdensome to musculoskeletal system (NLE LI value=2~3. OWAS action category=4). The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (lower and upper extremities) among the subjects was over 80 %. The introduction of assistive devices in the three hazardous tasks has dramatically reduced the risk by removing manual lifting hives (OWAS action category<1). CONCLUSIONS: Beekeeping is a heavy workload on the musculoskeletal system because it has a lot of manual lifting task. As a result of applying the hive lift, the burden could be reduced.
