Motion Study to Increase the Effectiveness and Safety of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) Manual Harvesting

Abstract

Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is the most potential oil producer plant in tropical area. Indonesia is the biggest palm oil producer in the world, which is cover 7.824.623 ha and produce 19.844.901 tonnes [I] which is more than 45 % of the world total oil palm production [2]. The oil can be extracted fi-om the fruits and kernel as well. Palm oil industries continue to grow due to the growing demand ofthe oil for food and non edible products includ ing bio- fuel, soaps, detergent and surfactants, cosmetic, pharmaceuticals and a wide variety of other household and industrial product [3]. Harvesting is the most important and burdensome work in the oil-palm industries. The success of harvesting will suppol1 the achievement of the productivity of the plant [4]. Most of oil palm harvesting activity is done by human power' manual handling, therefore the activity may cause muscu loskeletal disorders (MSD), work safety and health problem. This research is deal with ergonomic's motion study to find out the risk of the manual handling and to develope better work motion and so the manual harvesting can be done in more safety, efficient and productive. The aims of this research is to reveal the movement pattern of the work motions and distribution on the coresponding body parts and then to develope a good practice model for the manual harvesting procedure.