Ergonomic evaluation of occupational health hazards of farmers involved in sugarcane cultivation
Sugarcane is a critical cash crop cultivated worldwide, with Brazil being the largest producer,
followed by India, China, and Thailand. However, workers in developing countries like India
face numerous work-related health issues, including ergonomic problems, occupational hazards,
and injuries. Sugarcane farming is labor-intensive, with harvesting identified as the most
hazardous activity. The repetitive movements and use of poorly designed tools during harvesting
often lead to frequent cuts, injuries, and musculoskeletal disorders. Farmers are also exposed to
high levels of toxic pesticides, resulting in respiratory issues such as coughing and chest pain.
This study systematically reviewed the ergonomic and occupational health hazards faced by
sugarcane farmers, analyzing 33 articles selected from an initial review of 88. Fifty-six articles
were excluded for various reasons. The findings emphasize the importance of ergonomic
interventions in reducing the physical demands of manual tasks and mitigating musculoskeletal
problems. Low-cost ergonomic solutions and awareness training programs were identified as
effective measures to improve farmers' working conditions and health outcomes. The study
concludes that ergonomic evaluations and targeted interventions are essential to preventing
injuries and musculoskeletal issues among sugarcane farmers. Future research should focus on
implementing and assessing these interventions to evaluate their long-term impact on farmers'
health and productivity. Despite the identification of several ergonomic hazards related to
sugarcane farming, the number of studies remains limited. This review provides valuable insights
to guide the development of regulations, tools, and strategies aimed at mitigating these risks and
improving the overall well-being of sugarcane farmers.