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Seasonal Migrant Workers Perceived Working Conditions and Speculative Opinions on Possible Uptake of Exoskeleton with Respect to Tasks and Environment: A Case Study in Plant Nursery

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  • Rebeca Villanueva-Gómez

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montreal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada
    Department of Industrial Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia)

  • Ornwipa Thamsuwan

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montreal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada)

  • Ricardo A. Barros-Castro

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia)

  • Lope H. Barrero

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia)

Abstract

Seasonal migrant farmworkers are essential to the success of agriculture in Quebec as they provide the labor needed to produce crops and animals. Notwithstanding, these workers are often at risk of occupational health and safety hazards, while only a few interventions have been implemented to improve the situation. Modern engineering interventions like exoskeleton devices have been introduced to reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders in other industries, but nothing much has been done in agriculture. This paper employed a mixed-method approach to evaluate the effect of environmental conditions and physical activities on farmworkers’ bodies and sensations and explore their speculative opinions about exoskeletons for their tasks. This study took place in a large plant nursery. Data were collected through field observations, written questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews. The analysis showed heat, humidity, cold, and rain affect farmworkers in feeling sore, worn out, tired, weak, and suffocated. The arms and the back were the body parts most affected by the repetitive bending over and carrying the load. Farmworkers’ exoskeleton perceptions were positive, remarking benefits such as making the task easier, improving posture, reducing fatigue, and protecting the body. The barriers that emerged were concerning the exoskeleton weight, being uncomfortable to wear, causing heat, restricting mobility, not allowing flexibility to change tasks, and not allowing space to work in tight workplaces. The study includes strategies to ensure credibility, reliability, and transferability. Future investigations could test exoskeletons on farmworkers and conduct the cost benefits of exoskeletons in agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebeca Villanueva-Gómez & Ornwipa Thamsuwan & Ricardo A. Barros-Castro & Lope H. Barrero, 2023. "Seasonal Migrant Workers Perceived Working Conditions and Speculative Opinions on Possible Uptake of Exoskeleton with Respect to Tasks and Environment: A Case Study in Plant Nursery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-21, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:12839-:d:1224542
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leah F. Vosko & Tanya Basok & Cynthia Spring & Guillermo Candiz & Glynis George, 2022. "Understanding Migrant Farmworkers’ Health and Well-Being during the Global COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada: Toward a Transnational Conceptualization of Employment Strain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Ann Marie Cheney & Tatiana Barrera & Katheryn Rodriguez & Ana María Jaramillo López, 2022. "The Intersection of Workplace and Environmental Exposure on Health in Latinx Farm Working Communities in Rural Inland Southern California," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-16, October.
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