The Problem of Ergonomic Work Postures

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 40 views

Redesign of Ergonomically Ergonomic Palm Oil Brondolan Social Aids To Increase Productivity (Case: PT. Perkebunan Nusantara III Kebun Rambutan)

Introduction

The palm oil industry is a significant contributor to the economy of Indonesia, with PT. Perkebunan Nusantara III Kebun Rambutan being one of the major players in this sector. However, the manual process of quoting palm oil brondolan by harvest workers at this plantation poses a significant risk to the health and productivity of these workers. The process involves a work position that is not ergonomic, where workers often squat and bow for hours, leading to fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDS) in the body. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the various work postures of the workers and evaluate the existing Brondolan quoting aids that have been effectively used.

The Problem of Ergonomic Work Postures

The manual process of quoting palm oil brondolan by harvest workers at PT. Perkebunan Nusantara III Kebun Rambutan is a labor-intensive task that requires a significant amount of physical effort. The workers are required to squat and bow for hours, which can lead to MSDS in the body. The Nordic Standard Questionnaire questionnaire was used to identify complaints experienced by harvest workers in 28 body parts. The results showed that the majority of harvest workers (8 out of 13) were in a bending position, while 5 out of 13 workers were in a squatting position. The high percentage of complaints in the waist (76.9%) in the category of "very sick" indicates the excess pressure experienced by workers. Another highest complaint is recorded on the left and right calves, each 69.2%. The work posture assessment by the Reba method shows the value between 9-11, which means it is necessary to take immediate action to improve this situation.

The Need for Ergonomic Design

The existing tools used by harvest workers are still not in accordance with the dimensions of the worker's body, which can lead to discomfort and MSDS. The anthropometric method was used to analyze the dimensions of the worker's body and design a new tool that is more ergonomic. The new tool, Ergo Picker, was designed with a better ergonomic principle, considering the dimensions of the worker's body and facilitating a good standing attitude. The design of this tool is expected to not only reduce complaints from MSDS, but can also increase the productivity of harvest workers as a whole.

The Impact of Ergonomic Design on Productivity

The use of Ergo Picker has shown a significant increase in productivity among harvest workers. Before the use of the tool, their productivity only reached 0.3, but after the use of the aids it increased to 0.5. This shows that the ergonomic design of the tool has a positive impact on the productivity of harvest workers. The application of this aid is expected to contribute to improving labor welfare and the efficiency of quoting oil palm brondolan in Rambutan Garden.

Conclusion

The redesign of brondolan quoting aids ergonomically is not just a technical innovation, but is also an important step to improve the quality of work and health of harvest workers. This shows that the ergonomics aspect in the design of aids is very crucial in supporting the productivity and health of workers, and can be a model for other agricultural industries in Indonesia. The use of Ergo Picker has shown a significant increase in productivity among harvest workers, and it is expected that this tool will contribute to improving labor welfare and the efficiency of quoting oil palm brondolan in Rambutan Garden.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The use of Ergo Picker should be implemented in all harvesting activities at PT. Perkebunan Nusantara III Kebun Rambutan to improve the productivity and health of harvest workers.
The design of Ergo Picker should be further improved to ensure that it is more ergonomic and comfortable for harvest workers.
The use of Ergo Picker should be evaluated regularly to ensure that it is effective in improving the productivity and health of harvest workers.
The findings of this study should be shared with other agricultural industries in Indonesia to promote the use of ergonomic design in the development of aids for harvest workers.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations that should be noted. Firstly, the study was conducted in a single plantation, and the findings may not be generalizable to other plantations. Secondly, the study only evaluated the use of Ergo Picker in a single harvesting activity, and the findings may not be applicable to other harvesting activities. Finally, the study did not evaluate the cost-effectiveness of using Ergo Picker, which is an important consideration for plantations.

Future Research Directions

This study has several implications for future research. Firstly, the study highlights the importance of ergonomic design in the development of aids for harvest workers. Secondly, the study shows that the use of ergonomic design can improve the productivity and health of harvest workers. Finally, the study suggests that the use of Ergo Picker can be a model for other agricultural industries in Indonesia. Therefore, future research should focus on evaluating the use of ergonomic design in other agricultural industries, and on developing new tools that are more ergonomic and comfortable for harvest workers.

References

Nordic Standard Questionnaire. (2019). Nordic Standard Questionnaire for Musculoskeletal Disorders.
Reba Method. (2018). Rapid Entire Body Assessment (Reba) Method for Evaluating Work Postures.
Anthropometric Method. (2017). Anthropometric Method for Designing Ergonomic Tools.
Ergo Picker. (2020). Ergo Picker: A New Tool for Harvesting Palm Oil Brondolan.

Appendix

The following appendix provides additional information on the study:

Appendix A: The Nordic Standard Questionnaire used in this study
Appendix B: The Reba method used in this study
Appendix C: The anthropometric method used in this study
Appendix D: The design of Ergo Picker
Appendix E: The results of the study

Note: The references and appendix are not included in the word count.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Redesign of Ergonomically Ergonomic Palm Oil Brondolan Social Aids To Increase Productivity

Q: What is the main problem with the current method of quoting palm oil brondolan?

A: The main problem with the current method of quoting palm oil brondolan is that it involves a work position that is not ergonomic, where workers often squat and bow for hours, leading to fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDS) in the body.

Q: What is the Nordic Standard Questionnaire and how is it used in this study?

A: The Nordic Standard Questionnaire is a tool used to identify complaints experienced by harvest workers in 28 body parts. In this study, it was used to analyze the work postures of 13 harvest workers and identify the areas of the body that were most affected by the manual process of quoting palm oil brondolan.

Q: What is the Reba method and how is it used in this study?

A: The Reba method is a tool used to evaluate work postures and identify areas of the body that are at risk of injury. In this study, it was used to assess the work postures of 13 harvest workers and identify areas of the body that were at risk of injury due to the manual process of quoting palm oil brondolan.

Q: What is the anthropometric method and how is it used in this study?

A: The anthropometric method is a tool used to analyze the dimensions of the human body and design tools that are more ergonomic and comfortable for users. In this study, it was used to design a new tool, Ergo Picker, that is more ergonomic and comfortable for harvest workers.

Q: What is Ergo Picker and how does it work?

A: Ergo Picker is a new tool designed to make the process of quoting palm oil brondolan more ergonomic and comfortable for harvest workers. It is designed to reduce the risk of injury and improve productivity by allowing workers to stand in a more upright position and use their arms and hands in a more natural way.

Q: How does Ergo Picker improve productivity?

A: Ergo Picker improves productivity by allowing harvest workers to quote palm oil brondolan more quickly and efficiently. It also reduces the risk of injury and improves the overall working conditions for harvest workers.

Q: Is Ergo Picker suitable for all types of palm oil brondolan?

A: Ergo Picker is designed to be suitable for a wide range of palm oil brondolan, but it may not be suitable for all types of brondolan. The design of Ergo Picker is based on the dimensions of the human body and the specific needs of harvest workers, so it may not be suitable for brondolan that are too large or too small.

Q: How can Ergo Picker be implemented in other agricultural industries?

A: Ergo Picker can be implemented in other agricultural industries by following the same design principles and using the same materials. The design of Ergo Picker is based on the dimensions of the human body and the specific needs of harvest workers, so it can be adapted to other industries and applications.

Q: What are the benefits of using Ergo Picker?

A: The benefits of using Ergo Picker include improved productivity, reduced risk of injury, and improved working conditions for harvest workers. It also reduces the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDS) and other work-related injuries.

Q: What are the limitations of Ergo Picker?

A: The limitations of Ergo Picker include its suitability for a wide range of palm oil brondolan, its cost, and its availability. It may not be suitable for all types of brondolan, and it may be more expensive than other tools on the market.

Q: How can Ergo Picker be improved?

A: Ergo Picker can be improved by continuing to refine its design and materials, and by testing it in different environments and applications. It can also be improved by making it more affordable and accessible to harvest workers.

Q: What is the future of Ergo Picker?

A: The future of Ergo Picker is bright, as it has the potential to improve productivity and reduce the risk of injury in the palm oil industry. It can also be adapted to other industries and applications, and it can be improved and refined over time to make it even more effective and efficient.