| The need for a quick and easy observational tool for the analysis of work has resulted in development of a number of different ergonomic checklists, such as Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) draft risk factor checklist, and the Posture and Upper Extremity check list. However, these evaluation tools are static in nature, rather than dynamic. This research effort consisted of the construction of a new ergonomic assessment tool which considered the following variables: oxygen consumption, weighted postures, exertion level, load, anthropometrics measurement and activity time. Oxygen consumption was selected as a variable for risk because measuring it during work activities can directly estimate the energy consumption in every activity. The results obtained from the application of this new ergonomic assessment tool were evaluated in Costa Rican banana plantations, confirming its validity and impact. A total of twenty (20) males were tested in the laboratory simulation (Phase I) in Bogota, Colombia, SA and thirty (30) male participants (Phase II) in the banana plantations in Limon, Costa Rica, CA. The importance of this effort is that many of the tools previously used were developed for Scandinavian populations and not for the multi-cultural worker populations that exist today. The evaluation was performed mainly in three agricultural operations: Cutting, carrying and pulling bunches of bananas. Statistical significance as well as variable interactions were studied to determine the effect of the independent variables on the oxygen consumption level of participants in both phases. A multivariate analysis of variance and stepwise regression analysis were performed on the data for the different combinations and a set of prediction equations was developed. These equations predict the oxygen consumption level based on the most significant variables as part of the assessment tool. Therefore, this research not only served as an ergonomic assessment tool but provided a basis for the protection of Costa Rican banana plantation workers from ergonomic related problems caused by cutting, carrying and pulling operations. |
