ISO/TR 23476:2021

Overview

ISO/TR 23476:2021 - Ergonomics - Application of ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and ISO/TR 12295 in the agricultural sector - is a technical report that explains how existing ergonomic standards can be applied in agricultural contexts. It focuses on preventing biomechanical overload and work‑related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in multi‑task, seasonal and year‑long farm work. The document is written to be usable by ergonomics experts and non‑experts (e.g., farm managers, SMEs, occupational health practitioners) and references simple, non‑commercial tools (spreadsheet tools, ERGOCHECK) to support risk estimation.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: Guidance to apply ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series (Parts 1–3) and ISO/TR 12295 specifically within agricultural settings where multi‑task macro‑cycles are common.
• Multi‑task / macro‑cycle analysis: Methods for mapping and analysing tasks distributed over weekly, monthly or annual cycles (macrocycles), including defining homogeneous worker groups and typical daily/monthly workloads.
• Hazard identification & pre‑mapping: Rapid screening using key questions and a pre‑mapping model (Annex A) supported by ERGOCHECK and simple spreadsheet tools.
• Analytical risk evaluation: Use of established observational and mathematical models to quantify exposure to: repetitive upper‑limb actions, manual material handling (lifting, carrying), pushing/pulling, and awkward/static postures (Annex B).
• Posture assessment: Criteria and timing‑based posture evaluation using standards‑derived approaches and the TACOS method for spine and lower limb postures (Annex C).
• Multi‑day/multi‑task tools: Application of the OCRA checklist for multitask repetitive exposure and construction of “artificial working days” to represent annual exposure.
• Practical risk reduction: Procedures and procedural schemes for identification, risk estimation and risk reduction adapted to agricultural realities (smallholdings to industrial farms).

Practical applications and users

• Who uses it: Ergonomists, occupational health and safety professionals, farm owners/managers, agricultural engineers, SMEs, and labour inspectors. The report is intentionally accessible to non‑experts.
• Where to apply: Crop production, seasonal harvesting, planting, greenhouse work, packing/processing lines, and other farm activities with repetitive tasks, manual handling, pushing/pulling or prolonged postures.
• Benefits: Enables systematic assessment of biomechanical overload across seasonal cycles, supports targeted preventive measures, and helps prioritize ergonomic interventions to reduce WMSDs among agricultural workers.

Related standards

• ISO 11226 - Static working postures
• ISO 11228 series - Manual handling (Part 1: lifting and carrying; Part 2: pushing and pulling; Part 3: low loads at high frequency)
• ISO/TR 12295 - Application guidance and simple risk assessment for small enterprises

Keywords: ISO/TR 23476:2021, ergonomics, agriculture, biomechanical overload, WMSDs, ISO 11226, ISO 11228, ISO/TR 12295, OCRA, TACOS, ERGOCHECK, manual handling, multi‑task analysis.