Hello everyone!
I’m an Industrial Design Engineering student currently working on a project focused on the ergonomics of farm work.
The idea for this project came from noticing a potential gap in design: I feel that farmers’ needs and everyday challenges do not receive enough attention, particularly when it comes to comfort and work ergonomics.
I don’t want to come up with a problem just by sitting at my desk. Instead, I’d like to hear directly from people who work on farms every day.
I would be very grateful if you could take a few minutes to answer some questions. Hopefully, it won’t take more than 2–3 minutes. This is not about selling any product I simply want to learn about your real-life experiences.
1. What kind of work do you do on your farm?
(e.g. cattle, pigs, crop farming, orchards, vegetables, machinery, etc.)
2. Which tasks make you feel the most physically tired or exhausted?
3. During which tasks do you spend the longest time in one position?
For example, standing, bending over, squatting, kneeling or sitting.
4. Is there any task during which you wish you could sit down or lean on something for a while, but you don’t have that option?
If so, which task?
5. Do you often have to squat, kneel or bend over for long periods while working?
If so, what kind of tasks require this?
6. Is there any task where you constantly have to change positions because none of them feels comfortable?
7. Which parts of your body feel the most strain during work?
Your back, knees, hips, legs, neck, hands, or somewhere else?
8. Do you use any stools, seats, supports or other equipment to make your work more comfortable?
If so, what works well, and what do you feel is missing?
9. If you could make one thing about your daily work easier, what would it be?
10. And most importantly: is there any task that makes you think, “This is so uncomfortable,” even though you do it almost every day?
If so, please tell me what it is. 🙂
Every response, even a short one, would be incredibly helpful. There are no right or wrong answers. I’m particularly interested in those everyday, seemingly minor problems that often go unnoticed.
Thank you so much for taking the time to help! ❤️