Work safety and risk prevention in mechanical harvesting of olives
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abstract
In Portugal one of the most interesting zones for olive production is located in the
Northeast of the country (Tnis-os-Montes region).
The olive oil has excellent quality and assumes a high economic and social importance.
The mechanization of harvesting is adopted by significant number of olive producers.
The region is mountainous. The majority of olives orchards are placed in soils with
significant slopes, sometimes with more than 15%.
This factor increases dramatically the risk of accidents with the equipment for
mechanical harvesting, jeopardizing the work safety.
The objective is to reveal some solutions adopted for a safe work and evaluate the
consequences in work rates.
The Northeast of Portugal is a mountainous region with an important olive production. Slopes difficult mechanical harvesting, being necessary to adopt strategies to face the problem. Special trajectories to move the harvesting equipment inside olive orchards are necessary when slopes increase the risk of accidents. These solutions are necessary for a safe work, but can jeopardize the equipment performance. Some of the solutions adopted are described, and consequences evaluated.
