| 1. |
- Andersson, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Lean-inspired development work in agriculture : Implications for the work environment
- 2020
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Ingår i: Agronomy Research. - : Eesti Pollumajandusulikool. - 1406-894X .- 2228-4907. ; 18:2, s. 324-345
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Farmers operate in a turbulent environment that includes international competition, weather conditions and animal behaviour, for example, and is difficult for them to control. However, economy and productivity always have a high priority. As a consequence, farms have started to implement lean-inspired work systems. At the same time, health and safety are of urgent concern in the sector. This article explores how famers apply lean-inspired work processes. It identifies work environment changes during and after a lean implementation, as well as possible developments in the work environment following implementation of the lean philosophy. Data were collected from three groups: lean, lean-light and development-inclined reference farms (in total 54 farms), using a questionnaire and interviews. The results indicate that a majority of the lean farms were applying several lean principles and tools, and the lean philosophy. The lean-light farms applied parts of the lean concept, while the reference farms applied some of the more general tools, used in lean and elsewhere, such as visualisation in various forms and to various extents. The results showed positive effects of lean on the psychosocial work environment, better work structure and improved information, communication and co-operation. The physical work environment was improved to some extent by lean, where advantages such as a more structured and practical work environment with less physical movements and locomotion could be noticed. The lean concept provided a more structured and systematic approach to dealing with work and production environmental issues, for managers as well as for employees.
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| 2. |
- Forsman, Mikael, Professor
(författare)
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The search for practical and reliable observational or technical risk assessment methods to be used in prevention of musculoskeletal disorders.
- 2017
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Ingår i: Agronomy Research. - : Estonian Research Institute of Agriculture. - 2228-4907. ; 15:3, s. 680-686
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are still frequent, inducing verylarge costs for companies and societies all over the world. Ergonomists work to prevent thesedisorders and to make organisations sustainable. In their work it is important to identify risks ina reliable way, to prioritise risks, and then to perform interventions (participatory interventionshave shown to more often be successful), so that the risks and the disorders may be reduced. Risksare most often assessed by observation. Two projects are described. In the first project the interobserver reliability of six observational methods was found to be low in risk assessmentsconcerning repetition, movements and postures. Also the inter-method reliability was often low,i.e. when the same work is assessed with different methods different risk estimates are oftenobtained. In the second described project, easy-to-use methods for measurements of postures andmovements were developed and validated. Hence, there are now validated technical methods thatin developing tools, together with practitioners, that are attractive, easy and time efficient to use,and which should increase the reliability in risk assessments of work tasks and jobs.
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| 3. |
- Kasiuliene, Alfreda, et al.
(författare)
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Influence of nitrogen fertilizer on Cd and Zn accumulation in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) biomass
- 2016
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Ingår i: Agronomy Research. - 1406-894X .- 2228-4907. ; 14:2, s. 418-427
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Diffuse soil contamination with heavy metals and Cd in particular is a matter of serious concern. Application of conventional remediation methods usually is not feasible due to the large territories and relatively low heavy metal content. Thus, phytoremediation is seen as an alternative. Rapeseed was grown on Cd and Zn contaminated as well as clean soil under the greenhouse conditions. Solid and liquid nitrogen fertilizers were applied during the pot experiment in order to test their influence on heavy metal accumulation in plant tissues. Vegetative parameters were measured four times during the pot experiment and it was concluded, that the elevated concentrations of Cd and Zn in the soil did not disrupt the development of rapeseed plants. Furthermore, plants from contaminated soil produced significantly bigger seeds in comparison to plants from uncontaminated soil. Calculated Bioconcentration factors for rapeseed grown on Cd and Zn contaminated soil in all cases were below unity, thus possibility to use this plant species for phytoextraction purposes is limited, but it can be successfully grown on contaminated land as an energy crop. Application of nitrogen fertilizers had a significant effect on heavy metal accumulation and decreased Cd and Zn concentrations in rapeseed roots and stems with leaves were recorded. Accumulation differences between the liquid and solid fertilizer applications were negligible.
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