The Western states are one of the most highly intensive agricultural areas in the world. But, this magnificent farming model comes with a price, a cost that will impact generations to come. Fadi Fathallah, Ph.D. Repetitive motion injuries are not just problems found among office and factory workers. Joint and muscle injuries are not solely the injuries of professional athletes and Olympic hopefuls. Farm work in the Western states is very physical, requiring long hours of stooping, stretching, bending, climbing, lifting, and bouncing.
Repetitive activities are commonplace.
Ergonomists are now moving into agriculture to study ways work activities can be modified, equipment and tools redesigned, and loads lessened to reduce the harmful physical impacts of this heavy labor on the agricultural workforce. Michael Yang and Richard Molinar, M.S. University extension and outreach programs often lack the tools to work with small, limited resource farming operations. Culture, language, and educational limitations create difficult barriers for extension personnel. As a result, many of the small family or community farming operations in the Western region do not have access to information, knowledge, and assistance they need to reduce workplace hazards. Innovative approaches, persistence, and trust building are tools used by extension workers to bridge the barriers so they can help these farmers protect their health and improve their safety.