An ergonomic design of a manual rice transplanting device

• Main Authors: Lao, Tiffany Joyce S., Lua, Tabitha Ricci K.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2000
• Subjects: Planters (Agricultural machinery), Human engineering; Industrial Engineering
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/4340
• Institution: De La Salle University

Palay production in the Philippines accounts for about 18% of the total agricultural output. Rice harvests have grown for about 5% annually from 91 million tons in 1992 to about 11.3 million tons in 1996. This shows that rice has remained in the Filipinos' diet and almost all their agriculture. Therefore, many Filipinos are relying on rice production as a source of income as well as rice as a staple food for their everyday lives. With this in mind, it can be pointed out that the people who need rice should consider the safety and comfort of the farmers who are planting their food. Many ergonomic studies have been made with regards to farming. However, based on the researches made by the group, the studies made did not tackle the problem on hand-transplanting. As we know, hand-transplanting is a back-breaking job. It is therefore important to use ergonomics that gears toward the improvement of the Filipino farmers' comfort and safety. It is in this light that the group decided to pursue a study that will improve the present transplanting method of Filipino farmers. In order to evaluate the present transplanting position of farmers, the group performed five ergonomic measures which include Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), pain Duration Survey Questionnaire (PDSQ). Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Ovako Working Postural Analysis (OWAS) and Biomechanics. It was found that the present working posture subjects the workers to several musculoskeletal pain especially lower back pains. All of the farmers interviewed for the NMQ are experiencing low back pains due to manual hand-transplanting. Within this observation, the group looked for means on how to eliminate or reduce this problem. Therefore, a design of a new transplanting device was decided on. This device should fit the needs of its users, the farmers. Anthropometric data were collected which will be used for the measurements of the device. The group studied the step by step process of hand transplanting in order to fully understand the mechanics for the new device. Upon the completion of the device, it was brought to the farmers for trial use. Again, the group studied the new working posture of farmers while using the proposed device. With the help of ergonomic measures used for evaluating the present method of transplanting. Results showed that there was a significant improvement in working posture as compared to the present hand transplanting method. In terms of RULA, statistical test showed that there was a significant difference between the present and proposed method. OWAS results also improved since the new evaluation showed that the posture of the back was normal as compared to the hand-transplanting method wherein the back was heavily strained. In closing, recommendation for further studies of the design were presented so as to improved the manual transplanting device.