Ergonomic Assessment of Copra Cake Manual Material Handling Process: A Basis for the Design of an Ergonomic Equipment

Ergonomics studies how people interact with other system components, thus ensuring that the task and individual are compatible. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the leading causes of poor ergonomics. Meanwhile, ABC Oil Mill is a producer of Coconut oil and Copra Cake. Manual copra cake handling was one of the processes being observed in the company and chosen due to most workers encountering MSDs such as fatigue, back pain, shoulder pain, etc. The researchers used different ergonomic assessments such as the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), and the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) lifting analysis. Based on the result, REBA has a final score of seven (7), while RULA resulted in a score of ten (10), with an equivalent of High risk, indicating that the process must be investigated, and change must be implemented. Moreover, the WISHA results show that the lifting index is greater than 1, denoting a high risk in the process. From the ergonomic assessment results, the researchers have developed a design of copra cake lifting equipment. Using the anthropometric data of the workers, some of the highlights of the designs are: (1) it is maneuverable with an adjustable platform; (2) with push buttons for the lift; and (3) with a motor that helps to lift the sacks.