title: Ergonomics in sickle operation.
abstract: Sickle operation in harvesting has been analysed with reference to design features of nine different types of sickles, and field and laboratory based investigations on biomechanical stresses and physiological valuation on six farmers. It has been indicated that the blade geometry contributes significantly to human performance and there is ample scope for further design optimisation. The suggested modifications are: (i) sickle weight - 200 g; (ii) total length of sickle - 33 cm; (iii) handle length - 11 cm; (iv) handle diameter - 3 c cm; (v) radius of blade curvature - 15 cm; (vi) blade concavity - 5 cm; (vii) serrated sickle: tooth pitch - 0.20 cm and tooth angle - 60 degrees; (viii) ratio of the length of cutting surface to chord length - 1.20.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Physiology Division, National Institute of Occupational Health, (Indian Council of Medical Research), Ahmedabad, India.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Nag
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goswami
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Ashtekar
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Pradhan