Ergonomic Evaluation of Simulated Apple Hand Harvesting by Using 3D Motion Analysis

Year 2020, Volume: 57 Issue: 2, 249 - 256, 30.06.2020

Erdal Öz , Martina Jakob

https://doi.org/10.20289/zfdergi.650787

Cited By: 2

Abstract

Objective:
This study was conducted with the aim of using 3D motion analysis system to
reveal ergonomic exposures while apple hand picking.

Material
and Method:  The study was carried
out in the ergonomics laboratory located at ATB (Leibniz Institute for
Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy Potsdam e.V.) in Germany with an artificial
dwarf apple tree. Body postures, especially upper arm elevation, were determined
by a 3D motion capture system. Evaluations were made according to ISO 11266
standard and RULA classification.

Results:
Average upper arm elevation changed between 27.86⁰ and 33.60⁰.
Time spent with elevated arm above 20⁰ which is the base limit
suggested by standards was found significant for entire experiments as 77%on average of the process time. It was estimated that 5 to 6 hours may be
spend within 8 hours shift per day with elevated arms more than 20⁰.

Conclusions:
 More detailed information was obtained in
comparison to observational methods. This technique allows the determination of
exact values of the arm positions depending on time intervals. It can also be
used to determine other awkward postures such as trunk and head inclination and
for any other work process. 

Keywords

apple; posture; upper arm; ergonomics; 3-D motion

References

• REFERANS1 Bjelle, A., M. Hagberg, G. Michaelsson. 1979. Clinical and ergonomic factors in prolonged shoulder pain among industrial workers. Scand. J Work Environ Health, 5: 205−210REFERANS2 Byrne, C. and R. Eston. 2002. Maximal-intensity isometric and dynamic exercise performance after eccentric muscle action. J. Sports Sci., 20(12): 951–959.REFERANS3 Calisto, C. and S. Kleisinger. 2001. Ergonomics in orchard work − evaluation and possible improvements. In: 6th International Symposium on Fruit, Nut and Vegetable Production Engineering: 11.-14.09.2001 in Potsdam, Germany. pp 675–679REFERANS4 Clarkson, P.M. and M.J. Hubal. 2002. Exercise-induced muscle damage in humans. Am J Phys Med. Rehabil., 81: 52–69.REFERANS5 David, G.C. 2005. Ergonomic methods for assessing exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Occup Medicine, 55: 190–199.REFERANS6 Earle-Richardson, G., S. Fulmer, P. Jenkins, C. Mason, C. Breese, J.J. May. 2004. Ergonomic analysis of New York apple harvest work using a Posture−Activities−Tools−Handling (PATH) work sampling approach. J Agr Saf and Health, 10(3): 163−176.REFERANS7 Earle-Richardson, G., P. Jenkins, S. Fulmer, C. Mason, P. Burdick, J.J. May. 2005. An ergonomic intervention to reduce back strain among apple harvest workers in New York State. Appl Ergonomics, 36: 327–334.REFERANS8 Earle-Richardson G., P.L. Jenkins, D. Strogatz, E.M. Bell, J.A. Sorensen, J.J. May. 2006. Orchard evaluation of ergonomically modified apple bucket. J Agromedicine, 11: 3–4.REFERANS9 Finsen, L. and H. Christensen. 1998. A biomechanical study of occupational loads in the shoulder and elbow in dentistry. Clinical Biomechanics, 13: 272–279.REFERANS10 Fischer, S.L., J.N. Chopp, C.R. Dickerson. 2008. Overhead work: Evidence-driven job design and evaluation. Position Paper. In: Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders. University of Waterloo. 3p.REFERANS11 Freivalds, A., S. Park, C. Lee, G. Earle-Richardson, C. Mason, J.J. May. 2006. Adding a hip belt to a traditional apple harvesting. Int J Ind Ergonomics, 36(11): 1005–1010.REFERANS12 Hagberg, M. 1981. Work load and fatigue in repetitive arm elevations. Ergonomics, 24(1): 543–555 REFERANS13 Hanvold, T.N., M. Wærsted, A.M. Mengshoel, E. Bjertness, K.B. Veiersted. 2015. Work with prolonged arm elevation as a risk factor for shoulder pain: A longitudinal study among young adults. Appl Ergonomics, 47: 43–51.REFERANS14 ISO. 2000. ISO 11226:2000. Ergonomics-Evaluation of static working postures. International Standard Organisation. 19p REFERANS15 Jakob, M., M. Geyer, W. Bokelmann. 2003. 3-D-motion analysis as a tool for objective ergonomic evaluation of dynamic horticultural work processes. In: Proceedings of the XVth Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association and 7th Joint Conference of the Ergonomics Society of Korea/Japan Ergonomics Society: 24-29 August 2003 in Seoul, Korea. pp 651-654 REFERANS16 Jakob, M., F. Liebers, S. Behrendt. 2009. The influence of varying working heights -and weights of milking units on the body posture of female milking parlour operatives. Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal. Manuscript MES 1355. Vol. XI. REFERANS17 Jakob, M., and F. Liebers. 2011. Potential of a quarter individual milking system to reduce the workload in large-herd dairy operations. J Agromedicine, 16(4): 280–291.REFERANS18 Jakob, M., F. Liebers, S. Behrendt. 2012. The effects of working height and manipulated weights on subjective strain, body posture and muscular activity of milking parlor operatives-Laboratory study. Appl Ergonomics, 43: 753–761.REFERANS19 Kilbom, A. 1994. Repetitive work of the upper extremity: Part I—Guidelines for the practitioner. Int J Ind Ergonomics, 14: 51–57.REFERANS20 Kirkhorn, S.R., G. Earle-Richardson, R.J. Banks. 2010. Ergonomic risks and musculoskeletal disorders in production agriculture: recommendations for effective research to practice. J Agromedicine, 15: 281–299.REFERANS21 Kruizinga, C.P., N.J. Delleman, J.M.H. Schellekens. 1998. Prediction of musculoskeletal discomfort in a pick and place task (A pilot study). Int J Occup Saf and Ergonomics, 4(3): 271–286REFERANS22 Lin, C-L., M-J.J Wang, C.G. Drury, Y-S. Chen. 2010. Evaluation of perceived discomfort in repetitive arm reaching and holding tasks. Int J Ind Ergonomics, 40: 90–96REFERANS23 Marinello, F., A. Pezzuolo, A. Simonetti, S. Grigolato, D. Boscaro, O. Mologni, F. Gasparini, R. Cavalli, L. Sartori. 2015. Tractor cabin ergonomics analyses by means of Kinect Motion Capture Technology. Cont Eng Sciences, 8(28): 1339–1349. REFERANS24 Mayer, J., T. Kraus, E. Ochsmann. 2012. Longitudinal evidence for the association between work-related physical exposures and neck and/or shoulder complaints: a systematic review. Int Arch Occup Environ Health, 85(6): 587–603.REFERANS25 McAtamney, L., and E.N. Corlett. 1993. RULA: a survey method for the investigation of work-related upper limb disorders. Appl Ergonomics, 24(2): 91–99.REFERANS26 McCurdy, S.A., S.J. Samuels, D.J. Carroll, J.J. Beaumont, L.A. Morrin. 2003. Agricultural injury in California migrant Hispanic farm workers. Am. J. Ind. Med, 44(3): 225–235.REFERANS27 Meyers, J.M., J.A. Miles, J. Faucett, I. Janowitz, D.G. Tejeda, J. Kabashima. 1997. Ergonomics in agriculture: workplace priority setting in the nursery industry. Am Ind Hygiene Assoc J, 58(2): 121–126.REFERANS28 Meyers, J, J. Miles, J. Faucett, I. Janowitz, D. Tejeda, E. Weber, R. Smith, L. Garcia. 1998. Ergonomic risk factors for musculoskeletal disorder in wine grape vineyard work https://ag-ergo.ucdavis.edu/vineyardjmm/> (Accessed: 12 November 2019).REFERANS29 Młotek, M., L. Kuta, R. Stopa, P. Komarnicki. 2015. The effect of manual harvesting of fruit on the health of workers and the quality of the obtained produce. Procedia Manufacturing, 3: 1712–1719.REFERANS30 Mullaney, M.J., M.P. McHugh, T.M. Donofrio, S.J. Nicholas. 2005. Upper and lower extremity muscle fatigue after a baseball pitching performance. Am. J. Sports Med, 33(1): 108–113.REFERANS31 NYCAMH, 2006. Apple Workers - Tree Fruit Research&Extension Center, New York Center for Agricultural Medicine & Health. Migrant Clinicians Network. USA. pp 14REFERANS32 Pan, C.L., D. Gardner, S. Landsittel, S.C. Hendricks, L. Punnett. 1999. Ergonomic exposure assessment: An application of the PATH systematic observation method to retail workers. Int J Occup Environ Health, 5(2): 79−87.REFERANS33 Pinzke, S. 1997. Observational methods for analyzing working posture in agriculture. J Agric Saf and Health, 3(3): 169−194.REFERANS34 Pinzke, S., M. Stal, G.A. Hansson. 2001. Physical workload on upper extremities in various operations during machine milking. Ann Agric Environ Med, 8: 63–70. REFERANS35 Putz-Anderson, V. (Ed). 1988. Cumulative trauma disorders: A manual for musculoskeletal diseases of the upper limbs. CRC Press, 168p, REFERANS36 Sakakibara, H., M. Miyao, T. Kondo, S. Yamada, T. Nakagawa, F. Kobayashi F. 1987. Relation between overhead work and complaints of pear and apple orchard workers. Ergonomics, 30(5): 805–815.REFERANS37 Shin, S-j., W-g. Yoo, T-y. Kim. 2012. Effects of different overhead work conditions on the neck and shoulder muscles. J. Phys. Ther. Sci, 24: 197–199.REFERANS38 Silvetti, A., A. Papale, F. Draicchio. 2007. Assessment of risks associated with the manual handling of loads in the fruit-growing and horticulture sectors. Prevention Today, 63-75. April-June 2007REFERANS39 Sjogaard, G., G. Savard, C. Juel. 1988. Muscle blood flow during isometric activity and its relation to muscle fatigue. Europ. J Appl. Phys, 57: 327–335. REFERANS40 Stal, M., G-A. Hansson, U. Moritz. 2000. Upper extremity muscular load during machine milking. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics, 26: 9–17.REFERANS41 Stal, M., S. Pinzke, G-E. Hansson. 2003. The effect on workload by using a support arm in parlour milking. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics, 32: 121–132.REFERANS42 Thamsuwan, O., L. Aulck, K. Galvin, P.W. Johnson. 2015. Characterizing repetitive upper arm motions in apple harvesting. In: Proceedings 19th Triennial Congress of the IEA: 9-14 August 2015 in Melbourne, Australia, pp 1252–1256. REFERANS43 van Rijn, R.M., B.M.A. Huisstede, B.W. Koes, A. Burdorf. 2010. Associations between work-related factors and specific disorders of the shoulder-a systematic review of the literature. Scand. J. Work Environ. Health, 36(3): 189-201.REFERANS44 Villarejo, D. 1998. Occupational injury rates among hired farmworkers. J. Agric. Saf. and Health, (1): 39–46.REFERANS45 Villarejo, D. and S.L. Baron. 1999. The occupational health status of hired farm workers. Occup. Med, 14(3): 613–635. REFERANS46 Yoruk, I., B. Gulgun, M. Sayman, F.U. Ankaya. 2006. Examining the Ege University campus by the concept of ergonomy and antropometry in the embrace of landscape architecture applications. J of Agr. Fac. of Ege University, 43 (1): 157-168.REFERANS47 Yoo, W. 2013. Changes in Acromion and Scapular position after short-term overhead work. J. Phys. Ther. Sci, 25: 679–680.