Development of Smart Fruit Basket for Pineapple Harvesting
- Author:
Nurul Shahida Mezlan1, Emilia Zainal Abidin1, Karmegam Karuppiah1, Irniza Rasdi1, Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail1, Noor Hassim Ismail2
1
Author Information
1. 1 Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. 2 Department of Community Health, UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Prevention and control;
Muscle pain;
Musculoskeletal diseases;
Discomfort;
Intervention
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2019;15(SP4):26-34
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Abstract:Introduction: Pineapple harvesting work contributes to the reporting of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) and ergonomic risks. Pineapples are harvested manually in some parts of Malaysia using rattan baskets and workers are exposed to excessive bending, pain and discomfort. This intervention study developed and tested a prototype of an ergonomic harvesting basket to potentially reduce discomfort and physiological workload during a simulation of harvesting activity. Methods: The development and testing of improved harvesting basket was performed in laboratory and workshop. The improved basket had adjustable cushion straps, foam back pad and an opening for unloading of fruits. Harvesting was simulated using improved and existing basket by human subjects and questionnaires were used to assess discomfort. Physiological workload was assessed by heart rate and energy expenditure. Results: A total of 12 male respondents with average age of 22.4 (2.2) years participated in harvesting simulation. Discomfort as measured in Likert scale (mean (standard deviation) for improved basket 4.13 (6.1) vs existing basket 12.26 (11.2); p<0.05) was significantly reduced. Average heart rate (94.13 beats/min vs 89.05 beats/min) and energy expenditure (6 kJ/min vs 5 kJ/min) improved. Conclusion: The use of improved basket was linked to reduction of discomfort and overall workload. Improving design of agricultural manual tools may be able to improve health of workers and prevent MSS. Future fabrication of the improved basket using lightweight materials has potential to be expanded into plantation sectors not limited to pineapples in Malaysia and across Asia.
- Full text:11.2019my0492.pdf
