Abstract
The production of charcoal, the cooking fuel of choice in St Lucia, is done using the traditional method of burning wood in pits. It is a strenuous activity which exposes the producers to occupational hazards such as heat and dust. This paper describes how, through participatory ergonomics, the process of charcoal production was improved thereby reducing the risk to producers of occupational health problems. The use of a dust mask, development of a sieve chute for sorting coals from debris, and the adoption of improved lifting techniques by the producers are described. The dissemination of the research results to other charcoal producers in St Lucia is also documented.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 92-99 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Science, Technology and Development |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 3 |
Publication status | Published - Dec 1998 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geography, Planning and Development
- Development