The agricultural industry is known
to be one of the most important sectors worldwide, in terms of not only
supplying foods but also employing a number of workers. However, the agricultural business is considered as one of the most hazardous sectors in both developing and developed countries with high rates of accidental deaths,
injuries, and work-related illnesses. Agriculture is a physically demanding and
places farmers and farm workers at potential risks of musculo skeletal disorders
(MSDs).
For example, lifting and carrying heavy loads; working with periodic
trunk bending, risking from trips and/or falls on slippery and/or uneven
walkways, exposing of accidents due to volatile actions of livestock, and
uncovering to whole-body vibrations from farm vehicles and hand-transmitted
vibrations from chain saws and powered hand tools are amongst the many physical
hazards and stressors reported in the agricultural industry safety and health
issues.