A new project by the University of California’s CalAgrAbility project will help disabled farmers and workers create more ergonomic work environments to suit their abilities. The project will assist disabled farmers and farm workers in worksite modification, job restructuring, and equipment purchase and modification.
“There are solutions for dealing with conditions that make it difficult for farmers and workers to continue working,” said Martha Stiles, UC CalAgrAbility coordinator, in a press statement. “A solution may consist merely of rearranging a work site, such as moving materials closer, adjusting the height of equipment, or adapting a hand tool so that it is more ergonomically safe for someone with an injury.”
An estimated 20,000 disabling injuries occur on California farms annually. California is one of 21 states to offer this service, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This article originally appeared in The Ergonomics Report™ on 2004-04-01.