Investigation of oil palm harvesting tools design and technique on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body
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 musc...
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my.um.eprints.286802022-08-22T06:25:03Z http://eprints.um.edu.my/28680/ Investigation of oil palm harvesting tools design and technique on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body Mohamaddan, S. Rahman, M. A. Munot, M. Andrew Tanjong, S. J. Deros, B. M. Md. Dawal, Siti Zawiah Case, K. TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) 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. Elsevier 2021-11 Article PeerReviewed Mohamaddan, S. and Rahman, M. A. and Munot, M. Andrew and Tanjong, S. J. and Deros, B. M. and Md. Dawal, Siti Zawiah and Case, K. (2021) Investigation of oil palm harvesting tools design and technique on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 86. ISSN 0169-8141, DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2021.103226 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2021.103226>. 10.1016/j.ergon.2021.103226 |
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TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) Mohamaddan, S. Rahman, M. A. Munot, M. Andrew Tanjong, S. J. Deros, B. M. Md. Dawal, Siti Zawiah Case, K. Investigation of oil palm harvesting tools design and technique on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body |
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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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Article |
author |
Mohamaddan, S. Rahman, M. A. Munot, M. Andrew Tanjong, S. J. Deros, B. M. Md. Dawal, Siti Zawiah Case, K. |
author_facet |
Mohamaddan, S. Rahman, M. A. Munot, M. Andrew Tanjong, S. J. Deros, B. M. Md. Dawal, Siti Zawiah Case, K. |
author_sort |
Mohamaddan, S. |
title |
Investigation of oil palm harvesting tools design and technique on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body |
title_short |
Investigation of oil palm harvesting tools design and technique on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body |
title_full |
Investigation of oil palm harvesting tools design and technique on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body |
title_fullStr |
Investigation of oil palm harvesting tools design and technique on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body |
title_full_unstemmed |
Investigation of oil palm harvesting tools design and technique on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body |
title_sort |
investigation of oil palm harvesting tools design and technique on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body |
publisher |
Elsevier |
publishDate |
2021 |
url |
http://eprints.um.edu.my/28680/ |
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1744649131322769408 |
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13.18916 |