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

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.