Ergonomic intervention in spraying operation can provide a reasonable basis for recommendation on operating methods and improvement in operation for more output and safety. Two commercially available sprayers namely knapsack sprayer and rocker sprayer were evaluated with nine male subjects for the study. Age, weight and height of the selected subjects are 30.33&plusmn;1.93 years, 68.33&plusmn;9.51 kg and 168.51&plusmn;5.55 cm respectively. The major operational parameters including pressure and lever arm distance of the sprayers were selected and optimized based on human performance. Heart beat rate and operating energy requirement for ergo refined knapsack and rocker arm sprayers were observed as 93-120 beats per minute, 97-120 beats per minute, and 18.86- 24.31 KJ min-1, 19.27-25.54 KJ min-1 respectively. The field evaluation results showed that ergo refined knapsack sprayer and ergo refined rocker sprayer reduced the energy expenditure by 7% and 8%, oxygen consumption as percentage of VO2 max by 19% and 23%, &ldquo;HR results gave a reduction of 22% and 23%, ODR results gave a reduction by 4% and 5% and BPDS score indicated a reduction of 13% to 12% respectively from the conventional sprayers. The above results confirmed that the ergo refined sprayers provided better comfort and efficiency to the operator.

Ergonomic evaluation of conventional agricultural sprayers&nbsp;with respect to human performance

<div>Background: Ergonomics is a science that focuses its study on improved design as a remedial measure to fatigue and discomfort in humans. Its objective is to optimize health, safety and productivity. 
 
Methods: In the current study, an ergonomic evaluation of walking type power operated maize stalk harvester was done with traditional system. 
 
Result: It was observed that the average working heart rate, working oxygen consumption rate, ODR, BPDS and, REBA score was 93.3 beats/min, 0.582 litre/min, 1.1 (uncomfortable), 23.5, 5.3 (medium risk) respectively. The working angles of different body parts like trunk, neck, leg, upper arm, lower arm and wrist were studied and are 9.1o, 7.3o, 41.8o, 23.6o, 48.2o and 7.9o for developed prototype respectively.</div>

Ergonomic Evaluation of a Walking Type Power Operated Maize Stalk Harvester

<div>Background: Ergonomics in agriculture assumes pronounced importance as it is a multidisciplinary science that endeavors to make a better fit between the job and the worker to ensure their health and safety. 
 
Methods: In the current study, a evaluation of developed manual fruit harvester was done suitable for selective harvesting and comparison was done with traditional system on ergonomic grounds. 
 
Result: The mean working heart rate (HR) during kinnow harvesting operation was 102.09 beats per min, and 108.53 beats per min for traditional and developed method respectively. The ODR (overall discomfort rating) value ranged from 4 to 5 and 0 to 4 and the BPDS value ranged from 40.66 to 59.58 and 30.91 to 51.33 in harvesting operation by traditional and developed system respectively The average RULA score for traditional method was found 7 and action level 4 which fall in the range of very high risk level and changes are required immediately. The average RULA score for developed method was found 4 and action level 2 which fall in the range of low risk level and changes may be required.</div>

Ergonomic evaluation of conventional agricultural sprayers with respect to human performance

Ergonomic Evaluation of a Walking Type Power Operated Maize Stalk Harvester

Ergonomic Evaluation of Developed Manual Fruit Harvesting Device

Ergonomic evaluation of conventional agricultural sprayers with respect to human performance

Ergonomic Evaluation of a Walking Type Power Operated Maize Stalk Harvester

​Ergonomic Evaluation of Developed Manual Fruit Harvesting Device

Ergonomic Evaluation of Developed Manual Fruit Harvesting Device