Decreasing the load on the lower back with an ergonomic cutting tool for harvesting oil palm bunches

• Main Authors: Lina Parra, Leonardo Quintero, María Fernanda Maradei Garcia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Nacional de Colombia 2018-10-01
• Series: Dyna
• Subjects: biomechanica; agriculture; farmer; lower back pain; human simulation; ergonomics
• Online Access: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/dyna/article/view/69836

Harvesting palm oil crops involve different risk factors that decrease workers’ safety and physical integrity. This paper compares stress on the lower back when using the conventional tool and a new cutting system for cutting bunches. The biomechanical analysis is carried out using simulations generated by JACK Siemens software. The study found a 95.97% reduction of intradiscal compression (L4/L5) when cutting bunches and showed that pressure on all joints was reduced, in certain cases, such as the back and elbow, by up to 100%. That is, when cutting using the new system, the worker maintains a neutral posture of the spine. The new design comprises a point of support on which the tool rests and means that workers only have to direct the blade. Future studies should compare both tools in terms of productivity while preserving the ergonomic characteristics.