The effectiveness of napier harvesting machine in reducing postural risk among napier harvester in Perlis
Most farmworkers in the small and medium Napier industry are using conventional method for harvesting works. Therefore, they are extremely exposed to the risk of low back pain (LBP) disease which is one of the musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) typical problems. Referring to the Rapid Upper Limb As...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP)
2019
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| Online Access: | http://dspace.unimap.edu.my:80/xmlui/handle/123456789/61542 |
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| Summary: | Most farmworkers in the small and medium Napier industry are using conventional
method for harvesting works. Therefore, they are extremely exposed to the risk of
low back pain (LBP) disease which is one of the musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
typical problems. Referring to the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and
Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), conventional harvesting works was highly
risk to undergo LBP due to extreme stooped posture and high of low back
biomechanical loading. Based on the body score survey result, there were 95% of
respondents suffering of LBP. Hence, the objective of this project is to identify
proper working posture thus to design the Napier harvesting ergonomics engineering
intervention in order to replace the use of machetes in conventional harvest. The
comprehensive laboratory studies were conducted by focusing on stooped posture by
using electromyography (EMG). Three kinds of stooped posture condition were
investigated: free load stooped; with 10 kg load stooped; with support holder
stooped. Eleven male subjects were selected to demonstrate these stooped conditions
with four difference flexion levels. The EMG signal data then was analyzed by
ANOVA with α (0.05) and plotted into scatterplot, and then linear regression was
constructed to generate the linear mathematical equation. The ANOVA showed the
significant difference with p-value (0.001) and the boxplot proved that stooped with
support holder give better result. By the laboratory experiment findings, the
ergonomics engineering intervention was properly designed. The intervention was
developed in prototype with motorizes assistance and semi-automated system. A
prototype field evaluation has been conducted to monitor the muscle activities with
focusing on the lower back region by using EMG. The EMG data then was analyzed
by the t-test with α (0.05). Ten volunteered farmworker is randomly picked to
simulate the harvesting process. Based on the boxplot, the results shown reduction of
back muscle activities as compared to the conventional method due to working
posture improvement. The intervention prototype had a significant difference in the
muscle activities with p-value (0.00034). Besides, the RULA and REBA also shows
better score as concrete evidence in improving body posture during harvesting work
with this new method. Furthermore, the harvest cycle time was improved about
70.2% where it’s getting better production outputs. The t-test analysis also shown
the significance difference with p-value (0.0000373) and based on boxplot, the
intervention harvest depicted better cycle time. As conclusions, optimized working
posture along with the assistance of intervention prototype in the Napier harvesting
process is suggested since the data provided in this project show that it could
decrease the risk of low back pain. Apparently, this study also encourage of
generating the innovation in designing new tools to increase the agriculture workers’
performance. |
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