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A field study in dairy farms: thermal condition of feet

På svenska

Author

  • Kalev Kuklane
  • Désirée Gavhed
  • Klas Fredriksson

Editor

  • John Abeysekera
  • Emma-Christin Lönnroth
  • Dominic Paul T. Piamonte
  • Houshang Shahnavaz

Summary, in English

In agriculture, as in industry, have many physically demanding jobs disappeared and the physical stress factors have changed. However, the working days in farms are often long, and it is difficult to hire workers for help as the work conditions are considered to be harsh. The thermal work environment in farms is one of the factors influencing the work conditions. This study aimed to find out the problems connected with feet during work in cold loose housing barns in winter time. 13 dairy farms were visited and 20 farm workers were measured. Skin temperatures and subjective responses were collected, and at the end of a work period the subjects filled in a questionnaire about the work day. The foot skin temperatures were measured on dorsal foot and second toe. Most of the workers used rubber boots. The ambient temperature outdoors varied from +5 to -11 °C. Indoor temperatures were the same as outdoors (cold barns and fodder storage) or close to 30 °C (milk room). The lowest measured foot and toe skin temperatures over the whole work period were 24.102.6 °C and 16.001.4 °C. The lowest measured values were 20.1 °C and 12.8 °C respectively. The toe temperatures were on average 7.3 °C colder than foot temperatures (mean 28.8 °C). The low foot skin temperature was well related to cold sensation, while low temperatures of toes fitted better with wetness sensation. On average the thermal sensation of feet over the work period was neutral and the lowest ratings were cold (-2). The combination of various environmental factors in farms make it difficult to find perfect footwear for work. Some recommendations on the choice of footwear and their care are given.

Publishing year

1999

Language

English

Pages

110-116

Publication/Series

Proceedings of the 10th year anniversary of M. Sc. ergonomics : International conference, Luleå, Sweden, 29-30 October 1999

Document type

Conference paper

Publisher

Division of Industrial Ergonomics, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden

Topic

  • Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics

Keywords

  • Milking
  • Cold
  • Footwear
  • Feet
  • Dairy farms
  • Skin temperature
  • Thermal comfort

Conference name

10th Year Anniversary of M.Sc. Ergonomics International Conference

Conference date

1999-10-29 - 1999-10-30

Conference place

Luleå, Sweden

Status

Published

Research group

  • Thermal Environment Laboratory