WRMDs in manual sugarcane cutting work the risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders in manual sugarcane cutting work

Brazil is considered the world’s largest sugarcane producer. Although this is a sector which contributes significantly to the Brazilian economy, health data and work safety are critical, since they indicate a high number of accidents, diseases, and work-related deaths. This article aims to identify the risks of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMDs) among sugarcane cutters, attributable to physical work overload. Therefore, this study used the two first stages of Ergonomic Work Analysis (EWA) to better understand the activity and used the Ovako Working Postures Analyzing System (OWAS) biomechanical analysis software, and the calculation for the analysis of strength exerted by the erector spinae muscle and stress exerted upon the L5-S1 intervertebral disc, especially since the spine is subjected to important exposure in this kind of work. The results demonstrated that the cycles of repetition of movements per minute in this activity are predominant factors for the development of WRMD. Even though the stress exerted upon the L5 intervertebral disc and the contact force placed upon the erector spinae muscle are within the safety limit for static work, when the work is repeated, such forces may not be extended, which means that cutting sugarcane does not present a risk of lesion in a single movement, but the repetition of the activity may expose the worker to biomechanical hazards in a single work shift.