Current Science

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Assessment of Ergonomic Parameters of Coconut Climbing Devices for Women


Affiliations
1 Farming Systems Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Sadanandapuram, Kottarakkara - 691 531, India
 

At present there are different models of coconut climbing devices available in the market. The safety and efficiency aspects of coconut climbing devices are not being studied for women. Therefore, a study was undertaken to evaluate the existing models of five coconut climbing devices, sit and climb type (TNAU model), standing type (Chemberi model), KAU coconut palm climber (developed at KCAET, Tavanur, KAU), Kerasureksha (model developed at ARS, Mannuthy, KAU) and CPCRI model coconut climbing device on ergonomic basis for women operators. Minimum heart rate and energy expenditure was observed for KAU coconut palm climber than other models. The subjects felt less safety in operating TNAU model and standing type (Chemberi model). Sit and climb type (TNAU model) was found difficult to operate compared to other devices. On basis of these results it was found that KAU coconut palm climber was more suitable and ergonomically comfortable for the women operators.

Keywords

Coconut Climbing Devices, Ergonomics, Heart Rate, Energy Expenditure, Women Workers.
User
Notifications
Font Size

  • Mehta, C. R., Gite, L. P. and Khadatkar, A., Women empowerment through agricultural mechanization in India. Curr. Sci., 2018, 114(9), 1934-1940.

  • Thyagarajan, R., Kathirvel, K. K. and Jayashree, G. C., Ergonomic intervention in sugarcane harvesting knives. Afr. J. Agric. Res., 2013, 8(6), 574-581.

  • Gite, L. P. and Singh, G., Ergonomics in agricultural and allied activities in India. Technical Bulletin No. CIAE/97/70. ICARCentral Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, 2009.

  • Tewari, V. K., Dewangan, N. and Subrata, K., Operator’s fatigue in field operation of hand tractors. BioSyst. Eng., 2004, 89(1), 1-11.

  • Sam, B. and Regeena, S., Development and ergonomic evaluation of long handle weeders for uplands. Int. J. Res. Eng. Soc. Sci., 2015, 5(6), 1-13.

  • Sam, B., Physiological cost and subjective assessment of walking and riding type power tillers. In Proceedings of Second International Conference of Southeast Asian Network of Ergonomics Societies Conference (SEANES), Langkawi, Malaysia, 2012.

  • Nag, P. K., Sebastian, N. C. and Malvankar, M. G., Effective heat load on agricultural workers during summer season. Indian J. Med. Res., 1980, 72, 408-415.

  • Saha, P. N., Datta, S. R., Banergee, P. K. and Narayanee, G. G., An acceptable work-load for Indian workers. Ergonomics, 1979, 22(9), 1059-1071.

  • Bridger, R. S., Introduction to Ergonomics, McGraw-HIll, New York, 3rd edn, 1995.

  • Sam, B., Ergonomic evaluation of paddy seeder and rotary weeder with women operators. In Proceedings of 19th Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association, Melbourne, Australia, 2015.

  • Corlett, E. N. and Bishop, R. P., A technique for assessing postural discomfort. Ergonomics, 1976, 19, 175-182.

  • Mohankumar, A. P., Anantha Krishnan, D. and Kathirvel, K., Development of ergo refined coconut tree climbing device. Afr. J. Agric. Res., 2013, 8(44), 5530-5537.


Abstract Views: 297

PDF Views: 108




  • Assessment of Ergonomic Parameters of Coconut Climbing Devices for Women

Abstract Views: 297  |  PDF Views: 108

Authors

Bini Sam
Farming Systems Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Sadanandapuram, Kottarakkara - 691 531, India
Hameeda Bindu Vahab
Farming Systems Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Sadanandapuram, Kottarakkara - 691 531, India
S. Regeena
Farming Systems Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Sadanandapuram, Kottarakkara - 691 531, India

Abstract


At present there are different models of coconut climbing devices available in the market. The safety and efficiency aspects of coconut climbing devices are not being studied for women. Therefore, a study was undertaken to evaluate the existing models of five coconut climbing devices, sit and climb type (TNAU model), standing type (Chemberi model), KAU coconut palm climber (developed at KCAET, Tavanur, KAU), Kerasureksha (model developed at ARS, Mannuthy, KAU) and CPCRI model coconut climbing device on ergonomic basis for women operators. Minimum heart rate and energy expenditure was observed for KAU coconut palm climber than other models. The subjects felt less safety in operating TNAU model and standing type (Chemberi model). Sit and climb type (TNAU model) was found difficult to operate compared to other devices. On basis of these results it was found that KAU coconut palm climber was more suitable and ergonomically comfortable for the women operators.

Keywords


Coconut Climbing Devices, Ergonomics, Heart Rate, Energy Expenditure, Women Workers.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv116%2Fi1%2F127-133