Abstract

ROCHA, João Bosco de Assis; FLORES, Edmundo Rinolino Magalhães; LIMA, Leandro Cavalcante  and  RODRIGUES, Leandro de Jesus. Porters of the Açaí Berry: An ergonomic analysis of porters labor of the açaí in the Ver-o-Peso Market in Belem, Para State. Estud. pesqui. psicol. [online]. 2012, vol.12, n.2, pp.431-445. ISSN 1808-4281.

Carrying loads of the Açai Berry is a common activity in the Amazon. In order to investigate ergonomic aspects of these activity, the Nordic Osteomuscular Symptom Questionnaire - NOSQ (PINHEIRO; TRÓCCOLI; CARVALHO, 2002) was administered to 30 workers, or about 10% of this work force in Belem. The purpose was to ascertain organic problems produced by substandard labor conditions. The study was exploratory and descriptive character. In addition, a professional profile analysis was undertaken. Time spent in this activity varied from one month to 20 years, and on a daily basis consumed between three to 14 working hours. The highest frequency of maladaptive symptoms included the upper back (56.1%), lower back (63.3%), and the lower limbs (53%). The professional profile furnished details concerning the effects of hauling baskets of Açaí under precarious labor conditions, such as the boat position, tidal and weather changes, as well as the amount of weight to be transported. This pioneering study noted the need for ergonomic implementation.

Keywords : açaí porters; ergonomics; longshoremen.

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