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Risk Assessment for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Forestry: A Comparison between RULA and REBA in the Manual Feeding of a Wood-Chipper

Author

Listed:
  • Margherita Micheletti Cremasco

    (Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy)

  • Ambra Giustetto

    (Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy)

  • Federica Caffaro

    (Institute for Agricultural and Earthmoving Machines (IMAMOTER), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Strada delle Cacce, 73, 10135 Torino, Italy)

  • Andrea Colantoni

    (Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences (DAFNE), Tuscia University, Via San Camillo de Lellis, 01100 Viterbo, Italy)

  • Eugenio Cavallo

    (Institute for Agricultural and Earthmoving Machines (IMAMOTER), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Strada delle Cacce, 73, 10135 Torino, Italy)

  • Stefano Grigolato

    (Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35040 Padova, Italy)

Abstract

The analysis of the postural attitude of workers during the interaction with workstation’s elements and working environment is essential in the evaluation and prevention of biomechanical overload risk in workplaces. RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) and REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) are the two easiest methods for postural risk assessment in the workplace. Few studies investigated postural risk in forestry sector with regard to human–machine interaction, in particular manually fed wood-chippers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postures assumed by an operator during the manual feeding of a wood-chipper, and to compare RULA and REBA, in order to identify the more effective and appropriate method for the assessment of the risk of biomechanical postural overload. The results pointed out several postural issues of the upper limbs, and showed that RULA is a more precautionary method to protect operator’s health during the targeted tasks. Implications to improve the human–wood-chipper interaction are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Margherita Micheletti Cremasco & Ambra Giustetto & Federica Caffaro & Andrea Colantoni & Eugenio Cavallo & Stefano Grigolato, 2019. "Risk Assessment for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Forestry: A Comparison between RULA and REBA in the Manual Feeding of a Wood-Chipper," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:5:p:793-:d:210939
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andrea Colantoni & Francesco Mazzocchi & Vincenzo Laurendi & Stefano Grigolato & Francesca Monarca & Danilo Monarca & Massimo Cecchini, 2017. "Innovative Solution for Reducing the Run-Down Time of the Chipper Disc Using a Brake Clamp Device," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-11, August.
    2. Giorgia Bagagiolo & Vincenzo Laurendi & Eugenio Cavallo, 2017. "Safety Improvements on Wood Chippers Currently in Use: A Study on Feasibility in the Italian Context," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(12), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Patrick G. Dempsey & Lydia M. Kocher & Mahiyar F. Nasarwanji & Jonisha P. Pollard & Ashley E. Whitson, 2018. "Emerging Ergonomics Issues and Opportunities in Mining," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-11, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Manuel Hita-Gutiérrez & Marta Gómez-Galán & Manuel Díaz-Pérez & Ángel-Jesús Callejón-Ferre, 2020. "An Overview of REBA Method Applications in the World," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-22, April.
    2. Zhao Xu & Weijie Pan & Yukang Hou & Kailun He & Jian Lv, 2022. "A Decision Tree Model for Analysis and Judgment of Lower Limb Movement Comfort Level," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Killian Lima & Ana C. Meira Castro & João Santos Baptista, 2023. "MIAR forest Reproducibility and Reliability for Assessing Occupational Risks in the Rainforest," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-14, October.
    4. Federica Caffaro & Giorgia Bagagiolo & Margherita Micheletti Cremasco & Lucia Vigoroso & Eugenio Cavallo, 2020. "Tailoring Safety Training Material to Migrant Farmworkers: An Ergonomic User-Centred Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-14, March.
    5. Muhamad Nurul Hisyam Yunus & Mohd Hafiidz Jaafar & Ahmad Sufril Azlan Mohamed & Nur Zaidi Azraai & Md. Sohrab Hossain, 2021. "Implementation of Kinetic and Kinematic Variables in Ergonomic Risk Assessment Using Motion Capture Simulation: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-14, August.
    6. Yanchen Gong & Longlong Ren & Xiang Han & Ang Gao & Shuaijie Jing & Chunliang Feng & Yuepeng Song, 2022. "Analysis of Operating Conditions for Vibration of a Self-Propelled Monorail Branch Chipper," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-22, December.
    7. Ruan C. M. Teixeira & Walter P. S. Guimarães & Josiel G. Ribeiro & Rubens A. Fernandes & Lennon B. F. Nascimento & Israel G. Torné & Fábio S. Cardoso & Gabriella R. Monteiro, 2022. "Analysis of the Reduction of Ergonomic Risks through the Implementation of an Automatic Tape Packaging Machine," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-18, November.
    8. Marta Gómez-Galán & Ángel-Jesús Callejón-Ferre & José Pérez-Alonso & Manuel Díaz-Pérez & Jesús-Antonio Carrillo-Castrillo, 2020. "Musculoskeletal Risks: RULA Bibliometric Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-52, June.

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