Design modifications of agricultural hand tools based on anthropometric study for the farm workers of Uttarakhand,...

BackgroundAgricultural hand tools such as khurpi, fork, and sickle are widely used for various farm operations in the hill regions of Uttarakhand, India. However, these tools are not ergonomically designed, resulting in increased fatigue, health risks, and accidents among agricultural workers.ObjectivesThis study aims to collect the anthropometric data of hill farmers in Uttarakhand and propose design modifications for commonly used agricultural hand tools to improve their efficiency, safety, comfort, and acceptance.MethodsAnthropometric measurements of 36 dimensions were collected from 200 male agricultural workers across different villages in the hill regions of Uttarakhand. The collected data were analyzed to determine the mean, range, standard deviation, and 5th, 50th, and 95th percentile values. These anthropometric and strength data were used to design new hand tools and optimize existing ones.ResultsThe hand grip strength (5th and 95th percentile values) of hill farmers was found to be lower compared to the national average of Indian farmers. Based on the collected data, the appropriate handle diameter for the hand tools, including the khurpi, fork, and sickle, was found to be tapered, measuring 32 mm at one end and 34.1 mm at the other end. While the appropriate handle length was 115.6 mm for all three tools.ConclusionsErgonomically designed hand tools with optimized dimensions can significantly reduce drudgery, enhance efficiency, and improve the safety and comfort of agricultural workers in the hill regions of Uttarakhand.