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B. M. Deros, N. K. Khamis, D. Mohamad, N. Kabilmiharbi, and D. D. I. Daruis

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Investigation of Oil Palm Harvesters’ Postures Using RULA Analysis

+Introduction the agriculture sector is being known as one of the

most hazardous industries (Fathallah 2010)

SOCSO has reported that the agriculture sector is the most hazardous sector in Malaysia where a total of 2267 accident cases had occurred in 2012 that increased from 2009 with only 161 cases (Socso report 2009, 2012)

WMSDs is the most common injury among manual oil palm workers that associated with jobs and tasks involving repetitive movements and exertion, include specific risk factors such as use of force or heavy loads, awkward postures and lack of working posture recovery period while seating or standing (Torres & Vina 2012, Porchilamban et al. 2010)

+Objective

to investigate manual material handling work that can affect the agriculture workers’ health

by using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) analysis in CATIA P3 V5R14 software

+Methodology conducted on three FFB harvesters in an oil palm

plantation in Malaysia. workers were selected due to the awkward postures

and repetitive working conditions

Observation

RULA Analysis

preliminary interview working postures were observed using a video camera snapshots of the awkward and significant postures were

gathered

selected postures were remodeled using CATIA P3 RULA scores were obtained to determine necessary

actions that should be taken

+Result & Discussion

+Body Part Discomfort

Observation of workersWeight

the weight of the pole is quite uncomfortable

to be handled in performing repetitive

work task

neck

upper back

elbow hips

thighs

anklefoot

knee

waist

lower back

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six different postures among three harvesters were recorded

postures were analyzed using RULA analysis after being remodeled in the DHMS

first posture was the condition when the harvester is getting ready before cutting the FFBs

second posture was the condition where the harvester is pulling the pole downwards in order to cut the FFBs

RULA Analysis

+Harvester A

+Harvester B

+Harvester C

+Example RULA analysis in CATIA

+RULA scores

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identified several causes from the observation: 1) uncomfortable pole 2) awkward posture due to the height of the oil palm

trees (more than 3 meters) 3) repetitive work

this can contribute to muscle and nerves discomfort when tasks were being repeated for a long duration

Causes

+Recommendation reduce discomfort by perform task slightly lower than

elbow level which can reduce the neck extension and lower arm discomfort

providing a good hand grip on the pole might also reduce the discomfort experienced on the wrist of the subjects

(a) original posture (b) modified posture

+Conclusion

study showed the working postures practiced by the three oil palm harvesters were unsafe

the RULA analysis can be used as a simple screening tool to assist in detecting the discomfort and awkward body postures of the FFB harvesters

it is hoped that the RULA results from this study suggest and support improvements to be taken on the critical working postures of FFB harvesters

improvement on the working postures can curb work related illnesses and lead to better work performance and increase productivity.

+Thank YouAny question??