Report from the Sub-comittee on the environment and health

General ergonomic
problems
Particular problems with
pesticides
90
people lie on <strong>the</strong>ir stomachs with <strong>the</strong>ir heads supported. The trolley is
pulled along at a speed of about 600 metres per hour over <strong>the</strong> rows,
which are weeded by hand.
Table 6.1
Factors of importance to health and safety with and without pesticides
(Based on Bjørn, Rothmann 1998).
Without pesticides With pesticides
Mechanical and manual weed control. Chemical control and (mechanical)
weed control.
Cereals, rape, seed, maize and vegetables:
treatment 2-3 times with interrow
cultivation and harrowing. Vegetables also
require manual weeding.
Time on tractor/machine. Time on tractor.
The operator can be exposed to dust if <strong>the</strong>
tractor cab is not closed.
The operator has to work sitting down on
<strong>the</strong> tractor and often has to turn/twist his
body and neck to look behind him. It is
difficult to use mirrors.
Noise <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> tractor and machines,
depending on <strong>the</strong> sound insulation of <strong>the</strong>
cab.
Accidents in connection with tractor
operation, repair and maintenance of
machines.
Spraying 3-20 times, depending on
<strong>the</strong> crop, wea<strong>the</strong>r conditions, insect
and fungal attack. Often includes
one application of herbicides.
The operator can be exposed to dust
and pesticides if <strong>the</strong> tractor cab is
not closed.
The operator has to work sitting
down on <strong>the</strong> tractor and often has to
turn/twist his body and neck to look
behind him. It is difficult to use
mirrors.
Noise <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> tractor and
machines, depending on <strong>the</strong> sound
insulation of <strong>the</strong> cab.
Accidents in connection with tractor
operation, repair and maintenance of
machines.
Happier when one does not have to spray. Anxiety and unease about working
with spray products: aquatic
environment, long-term effects on
health and <strong>the</strong> environment, public
opinion.
No exposure to pesticides. Exposure to pesticides during
filling, emptying, cleaning and
repair of spraying equipment.
Asthma and bronchitis caused by dust
<strong>from</strong> plants and animals.
Asthma and bronchitis caused by
dust <strong>from</strong> plants and animals.
Driving a tractor can seriously load <strong>the</strong> driver’s back because he often
has to sit with his back turned in order to keep an eye on <strong>the</strong> work. This
applies not only during ploughing, harrowing and o<strong>the</strong>r forms of weed
control, but also during sowing and spraying. In connection with sowing
<strong>the</strong>re is a risk of back injury because sacks of seed weigh 50 kg. In
addition manual collection of fieldstones involves a risk of physical
injury, both <strong>from</strong> handling heavy stones and <strong>from</strong> use of a stone fork for
smaller stones. Stable work, including handling of farm animals, is often
hard, physical work. It seems to be generally accepted by farm workers
that <strong>the</strong>ir work involves a serious risk of physical wear and of injury. The
most common health complaints are “back problems”, “bad foot” and
“squeezed fingers”. On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, it seems that young farm workers
are no longer willing to expose <strong>the</strong>mselves to heavy loads or to use
methods that are regarded as physically wearing.
The risk in connection with <strong>the</strong> use of pesticides can be considerably
reduced by using suitable safety equipment and by following <strong>the</strong>