Caracterização, estado de conservação e uso seguro de motorroçadoras na região central do estado do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

The brushcutters are semi-mechanized machines with a two-stroke Otto cycle combustion engine and a cutting system used for cleaning in urban and rural areas. The use of brushcutters without proper maintenance guidance, as well as operation without the use of PPE can have an impact on the operator and the environment. The objective of this study was to identify and profile the operators of two-stroke Otto cycle side brushcutters, as well as to characterize the state of conservation of the machines and to identify whether the machines and operators meet the standards for safe work. For this, a survey was carried out of a sample group of motor cutter operators in the Central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, who own and / or make use of lateral motor cutters, the characterization of these machines that are in operation in this region was also carried out. Thus, according to the data collected, it was found that in the Central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the profile of the motor cutter operator is predominantly male, with an average age of 50 years and educational background generally in Incomplete Elementary School. Although more than half of the brushcutters in the region have been overhauled in the last six months, the conservation conditions found raise concerns, as many machines lack safety devices, have dirty air filters and are stored with fuel in the tank, in addition to presenting adaptations that pose risks to the operation. Most operators follow the manufacturer's recommendation regarding the proportion of oil mixture in the fuel, and the average storage of the mixture is 6.24 days. The most commonly used cutting system is the reel with nylon thread, followed by three- and two-pointed blades. Regarding personal protective equipment (PPE), most operators use only goggles and boots, although ear protection, visor, gloves, leggings, apron, Arab hat and helmet were mentioned. However, most operators do not use the minimum set of PPE required by Regulatory Standard 06. The majority of operators reported never having received any kind of technical guidance related to motor cutters.