The main purpose of this research is the comprehension of the difficulties related to the work on the organic production of fruits. To achieve this subject, a case study was accomplished on a ranch dedicated to the cultivation of organic fruits. The Ergonomic Method derived from the French/Belgium School, which allows the understanding and transformation of the work through the step by step analysis of actual working conditions, was used as a base to support all the ergonomic analysis of the work performed. It is important to emphasize that some of the manual tasks, more often observed on an organic plantation, can expose the workers' health to several injuries, as they demand considerable physical effort, uncomfortable postures and repetitive movements that, reinforced by the timing pressure issue, can generate musculoskeletal problems. Weeding, manual grading and fruits bagging, performed to control pests and diseases, are a good example of these type of tasks.
organic fruticulture; ergonomics; adapted technology
