Studies on Workload and Health Management of Farmers

Abstract

Investigation was made on the characteristics of farmwork and its effects on the health of people who engage in mixed farming (rice growing and dairy farming), cultivation of lotus roots, tulip growing, highland vegetable growing, rush growing, greenhouse cultivation of lotus, green pepper growing, chrysanthemum growing and vineyard management. Based on our findings, we pointed out several problems associated with rural medicine. As for a way of making workload assessment, we proposed a new method for analyzing postures farmers assume while they are working. We also suggested a modification to the cumulative fatigue symptoms index (CFSI) so as to make it suitable for farmers.