Physical protection of the upper and lower limbs for workers who grow pineapple

• Grant number: 15/12907-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2016
• End date: January 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Production Engineering - Product Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Roberto Funes Abrahão
• Grantee: Roberto Funes Abrahão
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola (FEAGRI). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Frederico Reinaldo Corrêa de Queiroz ; Maria Cristina Gonzaga ; Mauro José Andrade Tereso

Abstract

One of the most challenging agricultural crops from the perspective of risk factors is the pineapple growing. Previous studies reveals the ineffectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE) usually used by workers to protect themselves against accidents with poisonous animals and punctures by pointed leaves, particularly on the tasks of planting seedlings and harvesting. In view of these results, this study aims to experimentally evaluate the effectiveness of a commercial set of PPE in protecting workers against real venomous snakes attacks. Four sets of PPE will be tested, including shoes and protective gloves, leggings and oversleeves, each set with three different models. The equipment that pass the real attack tests will then be evaluated by a group of workers in real use situations, according to qualitative criteria, including comfort and usability. It is expected that the results allow the selection of a set of PPE which effectively protect the workers and that facilitate, or do not interfere adversely during task execution. In addition, we intend to define a set of design parameters to guide the conception of a new set of PPE specifically designed for the work in pineapple cultivation. (AU)