Análisis del riesgo biomecánico en el sector cafetero en los municipios de Topaipí y Chaguaní en Cundinamarca.

Abstract

Introduction: In Colombia, the coffee-growing sector has historically been one of the main sources of employment corresponding to 63% of rural employment [1]; in the Department of Cundinamarca this economic sector contributes 15% of rural employment, however, coffee growing is also one of the main sources of informal employment, consequently, the working conditions in which the farmers find themselves are precarious and unfavorable for their health. The tasks performed by coffee growers involve three biomechanical risk factors: lifting and carrying heavy loads (exertion), sustained or repeated bending of the whole body (postural load), and repetitive manual work (manual handling). The exposure of coffee growers to these factors results in discomfort such as muscular and lumbar pain, which often evolves into Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD). Objective: To analyze the biomechanical risk in the coffee activity in the municipalities of Topaipí and Chaguaní in Cundinamarca. Methodology: To characterize the working conditions of coffee growers by means of a standardized questionnaire, as well as the analysis of biomechanical risks due to repetitive movements by means of the Check List OCRA, as well as the analysis of postural load by means of the observational method OWAS and finally the measurement of effort by means of the self-report Borg Scale. Results: It was possible to determine that coffee growers in the municipalities of Topaipí and Chaguaní Cundinamarca, work under unfavorable conditions for the care of their health, by means of the assessment it was found that the risk due to repetitive movements was high, exceeding the levels of acceptance of the evaluation method; For the postural load, the tasks that constitute the planting activity were found in risk category 3 and 4, which means that most of the postures adopted by the workers have extremely harmful effects on the musculoskeletal system, and the perceived effort in the cleaning activity obtained a valuation of 6 to 9, that is, a denomination of "heavier" and "maximum" effort in the task of cleaning the land. Conclusion: The development of this research allowed us to see the reality of the coffee activity in the municipalities of Topaipí and Chaguaní in Cundinamarca, giving way to the identification and evaluation of the risk factors present in the workplace, with the purpose of contributing to the definition of mitigation strategies for the identified risks, the appropriation of safe work practices, stable working conditions and in accordance with the needs of the coffee growers.