Health and Safety Aspects Connected with the Use of a Self Propelled Sprayer in Greenhouses

A study was conducted about risk connected with preparing and spraying to high temperature and humidity, many workers can’t use DPI during pesticide sprayer inside greenhouses sited in Mediterranean area. Obviously, this involves a high risk level concerning heath and safety. Recently, a first prototype of a self – propelled sprayer able to spray running along greenhouses rows of tomatoes and other crops was be developed in Sicily. First trials have showed that a very low amount of drop reach the driver, determining health and safety conditions. Here we report about the results of further trials focused on other aspects connected with ergonomics, health and safety. The aims of the trials were to verify if the driver can use easily prescribed DPI and if the muscular - skeletal stress can be dramatically reduced in confront of the workers that run on foot among the rows equipped with a conventional sprayer gun. Consequentially, an equip composed by agricultural engineers and a physician carry out some trials inside a tomato greenhouse. Results showed a great improvement in workers safety and comfort. OCRA indexes showed a very low muscular - skeletal stress in charge of the driver. Consequentially, we hope that in the next future the self propelled vehicle will be spread over cover crop and greenhouses.