Investigation of oil palm harvesting tools design and technique on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Bioscience and Engineering, College of Systems Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, 337-8570 Saitama, Japan;2. Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia;3. Alfa Persada Sdn. Bhd., 41050, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia;4. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;5. Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, United Kingdom;1. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA;2. Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA;3. School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA;1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA, USA;2. Department of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of Deusto, Spain;3. Seoul National University, College of Human Ecology, Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design, Seoul, South Korea;4. Kyung Hee University, College of Physical Education, Department of Sports Medicine, Yongin-si, South Korea;1. Laboratory of Ergonomics and Physiology, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Via Fontana Candida 1, 00078, Monte Porzio Catone (Rome), Italy;2. Unit of Advanced Robotics and Human-Centred Technologies, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy;3. Institute of BioEconomy (IBE), National Research Council, Via Madonna Del Piano, 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy;4. Centre of Bioclimatology, University of Florence, Piazzale Delle Cascine 18, 50144, Florence, Italy;5. Laboratory of Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Via Stefano Gradi 55, 00143, Rome, Italy;6. Thermal Environment Laboratory, Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden;1. School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China;2. School of Reliability and System Engineering, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China;3. Key Laboratory of Deep Geodrilling Technology, Ministry of Land and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China;1. School of Business, Henan University of Engineering, Zhengzhou, Henan, 451191, China;2. School of Management, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China;3. Hubei Branch of Central South Air Traffic Management Bureau CAAC, Wuhan, Hubei, 430300, China |
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| Abstract: | The oil palm industry is one of the important sectors in Malaysia. The growth and development of this industry shows that Malaysia is the world second-largest oil palm producers. However, in the fresh fruit bunch (FFB) harvesting process, the harvesters are exposed to many types of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The FFB harvesters tend to develop WMSDs especially the shoulders and trunk. Hence, it is important to identify the exposure levels, awkward postures and the reaction forces of muscle activity based on the posture and movement of the harvesters when using pole, chisel and loading spike during the harvesting process. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the design of oil palm FFB harvesting tools on WMSDs of the upper body. Rapid Upper Limb Analysis (RULA) was used to investigate and assess the exposure level on the harvester body during the harvesting process. The assessment showed that the shoulders and trunk have high exposure level and undergo awkward posture. Human Musculoskeletal Model Analysis (HMMA) was used to identify the reaction force exerted on the muscle during the FFB harvesting process. In this study, 4 muscles were analysed including Triceps, Biceps, Erector Spinae and Psoas Major. The highest reaction force of 16.36 N was found on the left triceps when handling a loading spike. In conclusion, it is important to address the risks by reviewing all possible aspects that contribute to the WMSDs and interventions on the tool design, task and working shifts may be required. |
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| Keywords: | Fresh fruit bunch (FFB) Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) Rapid upper limb analysis (RULA) Human musculoskeletal model analysis (HMMA) |
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