Investigation of the Usage of Oil Palm Harvesting Tools on Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of Lower Limb

Shahrol Mohamaddan, Magdalene Andrew-Munot, Shirley Johnathan Tanjong, Siti Zawiah Md Dawal, Keith Case, Akihiko Hanafusa

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Worker’s health and safety are important for the plantation’s sustainable development. In the oil palm industry, the harvester is exposed to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) during the fresh fruit bunch (FFB) harvesting process. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of harvesting tools namely chisel, pole, and loading spike towards WMSDs on harvester’s lower limb. Rapid Upper Limb Analysis (RULA) in the CATIA and Human Musculoskeletal Model Analysis (HMMA) in the AnyBody software was applied to model and simulate the harvester’s movement during the harvesting process. The RULA simulation results indicated that the harvester’s lower limbs were exposed to WMSDs where further investigation and changes were required immediately. HMMA results indicated that the Gastrocnemius Medialis muscle had the highest mean muscle force. This study is important as an early ergonomics intervention for occupational health.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication3rd IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability, ECBIOS 2021
EditorsTeen-Hang Meen
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages41-44
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781728193045
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Event3rd IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability, ECBIOS 2021 - Tainan, Taiwan, Province of China
Duration: 2021 May 282021 May 30

Publication series

Name3rd IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability, ECBIOS 2021

Conference

Conference3rd IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability, ECBIOS 2021
Country/TerritoryTaiwan, Province of China
CityTainan
Period21/5/2821/5/30

Keywords

  • HMMA
  • Manual harvesting
  • Oil palm
  • RULA
  • Sustainable development

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Strategy and Management
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
  • Building and Construction
  • Health Policy
  • Health(social science)

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