The development of smart fruit basket for pineapple harvesting

Mezlan, Nurul Shahida (2017) The development of smart fruit basket for pineapple harvesting. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: Harvesting is one of the main tasks of the pineapple plantation workers that have contributed to the reporting of severe muscular skeletal symptoms (MSS) and other kinds of ergonomic risks. Harvesting is done manually using solid rattan baskets and workers need to carry cumulatively 500-600 kg of fruits per day. Harvesting task using existing basket exposes workers to excessive bending, pain and discomfort at various body area. This study is done to develop an improved basket to replace the existing basket in order to reduce MSS. Objective: The objective of this study is (a) to develop a conceptual design of an ergonomic knapsack basket, (b) to fabricate a prototype of an ergonomic knapsack basket, (c) to test the design of an ergonomic knapsack basket on the aspect of discomfort, physiological workload and perception of workers. Methodology: An experimental study was done. The development and testing of the design for the knapsack basket was done in the laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia while authorized party did the fabrication of the improved basket. A simulation on pineapple harvesting was done at the laboratory. A set of questionnaire was given to assess the discomfort of respondents using Borg scale CR-10 and perception of respondents. The physiological workload (heart rate and energy expenditure) of respondents was measured using polar heart rate monitor S610i. Energy expenditure of respondents was calculated using the average heart rate of the respondents using a formula by previous study. Data was analyzed using Statistical Packages of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. The ethical committee for human research had approved the protocol of this study. Results: The newly designed basket had ergonomic characteristics such as adjustable cushion strap, foaming back padded and latch for opening. A total of 12 respondents participated in this study. Mean discomfort of all body parts for improved basket was 4.13±6.1 while existing basket was 12.26±11.2 showing a significant reduction (p-value=0.012). The physiological workload showed significant reduction (p-value= 0.021) as the average heart rate and energy expenditure for improved basket was 89.05 beats/min and 5 kJ/min while for the existing basket was 94.13 beats/min and 6 kJ/min. Respondents also preferred improved basket to existing basket for pineapple harvesting. Conclusion: Improved basket was better than existing basket and can reduced MSS if being used for a long run. However, improvement should be done to improved basket especially to change to lighter material. Keywords: Musculoskeletal Symptoms (MSS), physiological workload, discomfort, heart rate, pineapple plantation workers, knapsack basket

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	22 Feb 2024 03:55
Last Modified:	22 Feb 2024 03:55
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1617

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