Analyzing the ergonomics of operators working on rotary conveyor milking machines of the “Carousel” type

When operating a rotary conveyor milking plant of dairy facilities for 1200 to 3000 or more cows, a milking machine operator experiences increased psychological and physical stress. The general functionality of the human operator of machine milking plants includes information and control (assessment of the physiological state, status of the animal, signal transmission from the milking point to the central computer, etc.) and physical functionality for performing manual operations (preparing the udder and teats of animals, connecting milking units). The conducted ergonomics analysis of milking machine operators at the “Carousel” plants showed that the total work of the operator per cow at the internal milking plant of the “Herringbone” type (36.62 J) is higher than at those with external milking of the “Parallel” type (26.42 J), due to the larger workload part required to move the milking machine (22.9 versus 12.7 J). The energy intensity of labor for three operators per cow is different: for internal milking (“Herringbone”), the load is 3.92, 30.74, and 1.96 J, with external milking (“Parallel”) – 3.92, 20.54, and 1.96 J. The physical load of operators per shift also varies: for a team of three people, the operator’s energy consumption during internal milking (“Herringbone”) varies from 1372 (for the third operator) to 37807 J (for the second operator); for two operators (without teat treatment after milking) the load is the same – from 24262 to 33964 J. For a team of three people working on the “Parallel”-type “Carousel”, the energy consumption ranges between 1918 and 43134 J, with two operators – between 23968 and 51366 J. The permissible upper limit for male operators (no more than 50000 J) is exceeded in the case of external milking and a maximum production of 300 head /h; for female operators (not more than 30,000 J) for all second operators at the maximum productivity of the “Carousel” with internal milking – 140 head/h, with external milking – 300 head/h. The overload of operators of rotary milking plants must be taken into account when organizing their work and upgrading the plants.

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