A BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS ON WORKRELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS USING A MECHANISED CHAINSAW FOR OIL PALM HARVESTING

The demanding nature of harvesting, which requires high cutting force, often leads to extensive physical exertion and fatigue.This study investigates the potential of utilising a pole-mounted mechanised chainsaw to minimise the pulling effort required to overcome friction forces during oil palm harvesting.The powered chainsaw demonstrates a mean peak cutting force of 677.57 337.83 N, with a corresponding Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) score averaging 8.11 1.41.The mean 5 th lumbar vertebra and 1 st sacral vertebra (L5-S1) compression and shear forces were 808.63 63.84 N and 528.16 190.98 N, respectively, both below the safety threshold.Mechanised tools reduce muscle activation and pain scores across various muscle groups.Peak muscle activation measured less than 65% for the right biceps, and mean values were below 30% for all muscle parts.The mean peak pain score was 6 for the right and left biceps, and the right anterior deltoid, while the mean peak value was consistently less than 4 for all muscle parts.The tool processes one frond every 25 s, potentially handling 20 to 30 FFBs/hr.This study suggests that mechanised tools have the potential to enhance worker well-being and efficiency in oil palm harvesting.