Full Text Available
Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.
Operator work-related musculoskeletal discomfort during forwarding operations in South Africa : an ergonomic assessment
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014.
Saved in:
| Other Authors: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Pretoria
2015
|
| Subjects: | |
| Tags: |
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1867613604776247296 |
|---|---|
| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Brink, M.P. |
| author_browse | Brink, M.P. |
| author_facet | Brink, M.P. |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2015 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/46059 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:38:46.059Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publishDateRange | 2015 |
| publishDateSort | 2015 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/46059 Operator work-related musculoskeletal discomfort during forwarding operations in South Africa : an ergonomic assessment Brink, M.P. Todd, Andrew I. Chirwa, Paxie W. Phairah, Kudakwashe C. UCTD Musculoskeletal disorders Mechanised harvesting Ergonomics South Africa Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. Forest machine operators are still experiencing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) despite extensive mechanisation and modernisation of harvesting systems. However, paucity of local ergonomics research and technology transfer problems threatens the sustainability of mechanised systems in South Africa. Consequently, this study was a field-based ergonomic assessment of local forwarding operations. PG Bison’s North East Cape Forests (NECF) Eastern Cape operations and Komatiland Forests (KLF), Mpumalanga, operations were studied. The main aim of the study was to carry out an ergonomic assessment on local forwarder operator tasks, using Tigercat 1055 forwarders. The study specifically assessed WMSD prevalence and risk factors, investigated the frequency of awkward head postures, and evaluated work organisation. A modified Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to survey WMSD prevalence and work organisation factors. During the shift, operators reported localised work-related musculoskeletal discomfort hourly. A video camera mounted in the cab was used to capture the footage of awkward head postures. The video footage was also used for the WMSD risk assessment using Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (HSG60) upper limb disorder assessment worksheets. Operators reported that they had experienced WMSDs during the last 12 months, mainly in the lower back, neck, shoulders and upper back. The operators cited lower repetitive strain symptoms and higher lower back discomfort than in previous studies. Twenty three per cent of awkward head postures were extreme. Operators reported worse than normal psychological profiles. The study results support the assertion that causal pathways of WMSDs are complex and multifactorial. Repetition, awkward head posture, duration of exposure, vibration, psychological factors and individual differences were identified as the main WMSD risk factors. tm2015 Plant Production and Soil Science MSc Unrestricted 2015-07-02T11:06:43Z 2015-07-02T11:06:43Z 2015/04/22 2014 Dissertation Phairah, KC 2014, Operator work-related musculoskeletal discomfort during forwarding operations in South Africa : an ergonomic assessment, MSc Dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/46059> A2015 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/46059 en © 2015 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Musculoskeletal disorders Mechanised harvesting Ergonomics South Africa Operator work-related musculoskeletal discomfort during forwarding operations in South Africa : an ergonomic assessment |
| title | Operator work-related musculoskeletal discomfort during forwarding operations in South Africa : an ergonomic assessment |
| title_full | Operator work-related musculoskeletal discomfort during forwarding operations in South Africa : an ergonomic assessment |
| title_fullStr | Operator work-related musculoskeletal discomfort during forwarding operations in South Africa : an ergonomic assessment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Operator work-related musculoskeletal discomfort during forwarding operations in South Africa : an ergonomic assessment |
| title_short | Operator work-related musculoskeletal discomfort during forwarding operations in South Africa : an ergonomic assessment |
| title_sort | operator work related musculoskeletal discomfort during forwarding operations in south africa an ergonomic assessment |
| topic | UCTD Musculoskeletal disorders Mechanised harvesting Ergonomics South Africa |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/46059 |