J Agric Med Community Health.  2019 Sep;44(3):138-143. 10.5393/JAMCH.2019.44.3.138.

Risk Assessment and Intervention of Ergonomic Risk Factor in Beekeeping

• Lee C
• Kang T

• KMID: 2463639
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5393/JAMCH.2019.44.3.138

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.

Keyword

beekeeping; beekeepers; ergonomic risk; musculoskeletal symptom; risk assessment

MeSH Terms

Beekeeping*
Korea
Lifting
Musculoskeletal System
Prevalence
Risk Assessment*
Risk Factors*
Self-Help Devices
Urticaria