A LINEAR PROGRAMMING APPROACH TO ANALYZE MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER RISK FACTORS IN HAZELNUT HARVESTING WORKERS

Year 2024, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 61 - 71, 30.06.2024

Hilal Singer

https://doi.org/10.22531/muglajsci.1414792

Abstract

Harvesting hazelnuts is a labor-intensive agricultural activity crucial for sustaining the global nut industry. Despite its significance, this activity poses a potential risk to workers’ musculoskeletal health due to the demanding nature of the work. This study proposes a linear programming approach to analyze risk factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders among hazelnut harvesting workers. The initial phase of the study includes the identification of key risk factors through a literature review, field observations, and expert consultations. An expert team is formed to evaluate these factors from both academic and producer perspectives. The selection of the experts is done by considering their experience, educational background, knowledge, and publications relevant to the research topic. To determine the importance of the factors, the LP-GW-AHP method (a linear programming method to generate weights in the analytic hierarchy process) is employed. Once the pairwise comparison matrix is established, a mathematical model is created to obtain optimal weights. Additionally, a comparative analysis is conducted to support the validity of the model results. According to the results, harvest area, repetitive movements, and prolonged standing are the top three most important factors. Furthermore, the least important factors are determined to be experience, vibration, and mental and occupational stress. This study presents its novelty by formulating the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorder risk factors as a linear programming-driven multicriteria decision-making problem and applying the LP-GW-AHP method to the problem.

Keywords

Ergonomics, LP-GW-AHP, Linear programming, Musculoskeletal issues

FINDIK HASADI İŞÇİLERİNDE KAS-İSKELET SİSTEMİ RAHATSIZLIĞI RİSK FAKTÖRLERİNİ ANALİZ ETMEK İÇİN BİR DOĞRUSAL PROGRAMLAMA YAKLAŞIMI

Abstract

Fındık hasadı, küresel fındık endüstrisinin sürdürülmesi için hayati önem taşıyan, emek yoğun bir tarımsal faaliyettir. Önemine rağmen bu faaliyet, işin zorlu doğası nedeniyle çalışanların kas-iskelet sağlığı açısından potansiyel bir risk oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışma, fındık hasadı işçilerinde işe bağlı kas-iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıklarıyla ilişkili risk faktörlerini analiz etmek için bir doğrusal programlama yaklaşımı önermektedir. Çalışmanın ilk aşaması, literatür taraması, saha gözlemleri ve uzman istişareleri yoluyla kilit risk faktörlerinin tanımlanmasını içermektedir. Bu faktörleri hem akademik hem de üretici bakış açılarından değerlendirmek için uzman bir ekip oluşturulmaktadır. Uzmanların seçimi deneyimleri, eğitim geçmişleri, bilgileri ve araştırma konusuyla ilgili çalışmaları dikkate alınarak yapılmaktadır. Faktörlerin önemini belirlemek için LP-GW-AHP yöntemi (analitik hiyerarşi prosesinde ağırlıkları üretmek için bir doğrusal programlama yöntemi) kullanılmaktadır. İkili karşılaştırma matrisi oluşturulduktan sonra optimal ağırlıkları elde etmek için bir matematiksel model oluşturulmaktadır. Ayrıca, model sonuçlarının geçerliliğini desteklemek için bir karşılaştırmalı analiz yapılmaktadır. Sonuçlara göre, hasat alanı, tekrarlayan hareketler ve uzun süreli ayakta durma en önemli üç faktördür. En az önemli faktörler ise deneyim, titreşim ve zihinsel ve mesleki stres olarak belirlenmiştir. Bu çalışma, kas-iskelet sistemi rahatsızlığı risk faktörlerinin değerlendirilmesini doğrusal programlamaya dayalı birçok kriterli karar verme problemi olarak formüle ederek ve probleme LP-GW-AHP yöntemini uygulayarak yeniliğini sunmaktadır.

Keywords

Ergonomi, LP-GW-AHP, Doğrusal programlama, Kas-iskelet sorunları

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