Ergonomic study of manual loading of log in private poplar plantation in the east of Guilan province

Manual loading of logs consists of dangerous, heavy and tedious work tasks. The involved workers have to lift and carry heavy loads during the day, which has been associated with physical fatigue, muscle pain, as well as a high risk of work accidents. The objectives of this research were a) to analyze log loading worker and b) calculate the Postural Risk Index (PRI) during manual loading activities in a poplar plantation by means of the ErgoFellow 3.0 software and the Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System (OWAS) ergonomic method. Field measurements and data collection were carried out in the summer of 2020 and consisted of video recordings during the effective work time. The snapshot method was used in the recorded material and a total of 34 mixed body postures were identified based on the effect of body posture on the musculoskeletal system. Study of the frequency and percentage of mixed body posture revealed that 7 code values are in action level 1and do not need to be corrected while in 6 code values, corrective action required in the near future, 11 code values require faster correction, and 10 code values require immediate correction. The PRI of the loading operations was 276, suggesting a strong need for ergonomic improvements. Health hazards as a result of manual loading of logs are, largely, unknown to the workforce in rural areas despite their connection to physical and mental exhaustion, and can expose workers to musculoskeletal disorders resulting in reduction of their work capacity..