%VdotO2max as Physical Load Indicator Unit in Forest Work Operation

Most of forestry work has burdened forest workers with heavy workload, which is often exceeding their allowable workload. This workload has been widely measured through energy expenditure-based workload assessment (expressed in kcal/kg/min). However, this calculation method excluded physical characteristic of individual into its calculation, meanwhile it may greatly influenced metabolism system of an individual. Thus, there is a big possibility that the use of kcal/kg/min workload unit in comparing workload among different individuals conducting the same physical work had ended in an erroneous reading.  Therefore, a study on alternative workload measurement that provides a fair assessment when the assessment is conducted among different individuals performing same physical activity is significantly important.  This study proposed an alternative workload calculation approach, in which the workload unit was expressed in %VdotO2max.  The results showed that alternative workload measurement provided excellent accurateness similar to that provided by conventional workload assessment method.  Further analysis showed that  the proposed unit showed a fair reading when the analysis was carried out to more than one individual.  This was because  the proposed unit considered maximum physical work capacity (short term) of each individual in its calculation

%VdotO2max as Physical Load Indicator Unit in Forest Work Operation

Most of forestry work has burdened forest workers with heavy workload, which is often exceeding their allowable workload. This workload has been widely measured through energy expenditure-based workload assessment (expressed in kcal/kg/min). However, this calculation method excluded physical characteristic of individual into its calculation, meanwhile it may greatly influenced metabolism system of an individual. Thus, there is a big possibility that the use of kcal/kg/min workload unit in comparing workload among different individuals conducting the same physical work had ended in an erroneous reading.  Therefore, a study on alternative workload measurement that provides a fair assessment when the assessment is conducted among different individuals performing same physical activity is significantly important.  This study proposed an alternative workload calculation approach, in which the workload unit was expressed in %VdotO2max.  The results showed that alternative workload measurement provided excellent accurateness similar to that provided by conventional workload assessment method.  Further analysis showed that  the proposed unit showed a fair reading when the analysis was carried out to more than one individual.  This was because  the proposed unit considered maximum physical work capacity (short term) of each individual in its calculation

Noise, Worker Perception, and Worker Concentration in Timber Harvesting Activity

Timber harvesting activities are unquestionably related with high risk of work accidents and health disorders.Such activities were not only burdened the workers with heavy physical workloads due to uneasy workingenvironment, and massive work materials and tools, but also physiopsychologically burdened workers as theywere imposed with both mechanical and acoustic vibrations (noise) produced by the chainsaw. However,  it is acommon practice that most of the workers still ignored the importance of the use of noise reduction devices suchas earmuff or ear plug.  This study was aimed to reveal the factual effects of noise on work concentration of theworkers to provide a scientific basis in supporting efforts in improving workers’ attitude.  The results confirmedthat chainsaw might produce noise during operation.  Noise intensities received by both right and left ears werenot significantly different, indicating that left-handed and normal workers received similar degree of noise inboth side of ears. Further, results also showed that there was a significant difference on the perception and workconcentration of chainsaw operators versus sedentary people to the noise.  These findings proved that hearingability of chainsaw operators had declined due to frequent noise exposure.Keywords: timber harvesting, physio-psychological disorder, noise, chainsa

Noise, Worker Perception, and Worker Concentration in Timber Harvesting Activity

Timber harvesting activities are unquestionably related with high risk of work accidents and health disorders.Such activities were not only burdened the workers with heavy physical workloads due to uneasy workingenvironment, and massive work materials and tools, but also physiopsychologically burdened workers as theywere imposed with both mechanical and acoustic vibrations (noise) produced by the chainsaw. However,  it is acommon practice that most of the workers still ignored the importance of the use of noise reduction devices suchas earmuff or ear plug.  This study was aimed to reveal the factual effects of noise on work concentration of theworkers to provide a scientific basis in supporting efforts in improving workers’ attitude.  The results confirmedthat chainsaw might produce noise during operation.  Noise intensities received by both right and left ears werenot significantly different, indicating that left-handed and normal workers received similar degree of noise inboth side of ears. Further, results also showed that there was a significant difference on the perception and workconcentration of chainsaw operators versus sedentary people to the noise.  These findings proved that hearingability of chainsaw operators had declined due to frequent noise exposure.Keywords: timber harvesting, physio-psychological disorder, noise, chainsa

Status Ergonomi Pekerja Sektor Kehutanan di Indonesia: Kelelahan Fisik-Mental-Sosial, Kepuasan Kerja, Konsep Sumber Bahaya, dan Konsep Biaya Kecelakaan

Pengelolaan hutan lestari menuntut perhatian terhadap perlindungan keselamatan dan kesehatan kerja (K3), selain perhatian terhadap aspek produktivitas kerja, dan kesejahteraan pengelola/pekerjanya. Di Indonesia, ke-empat aspek tersebut, yang merupakan tujuan utama kajian ergonomi, belum banyak mendapat perhatian, walau kegiatan pengelolaan hutan merupakan kegiatan dengan risiko gangguan K3 yang tinggi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menyajikan gambaran kondisi kelelahan fisikmental-sosial, gangguan otot, kepuasan kerja, persepsi terhadap sumber bahaya, dan persepsi terhadap biaya kecelakaan kerja dalam kegiatan pengelolaan hutan di Indonesia. Status kelelahan diukur menggunakan instrumen Cumulative Fatigue Symptom Index (CFSI) dan gangguan otot diinvestigasi menggunakan instrumen Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ). Kepuasan kerja dan persepsi terhadap sumber bahaya dan biaya kecelakaan ditelusuri menggunakan kuisioner dan wawancara (tatap muka, pertanyaan terbuka dan semi terstruktur). Data diambil dari 98 responden yang terdiri atas polisi hutan, tenaga inventarisasi hutan, pengawas/mandor penebangan, dan staf administrasi selama Februari 2016–Oktober 2017. Analisis CFSI menunjukkan bahwa kegiatan penjagaan hutan dan inventarisasi hutan telah menyebabkan gangguan kelelahan fisik dan mental yang intens (dalam bentuk gangguan kecemasan). Analisis SNQ mengonfirmasi keluhan gangguan otot pada pinggang, punggung, leher, bahu, serta lengan (bawah-atas). Secara umum responden memiliki (1) keterbatasan secara finansial, (2) tingkat pengetahuan yang belum memadai untuk mengenali berbagai sumber bahaya potensial di tempat kerja, dan (3) pemahaman yang kurang tepat terhadap konsep biaya kecelakaan. Keterbatasan aspek kognitif responden menyebabkan penggunaan mekanisme K3 partisipasif semata (untuk meningkatkan perlindungan K3) bukanlah keputusan yang tepat. Upaya peningkatan perlindungan K3 perlu dilakukan dalam bentuk (1) peningkatan fasilitas kerja (fasilitas kesehatan, saranasarana sosial dan komunikasi, aksesibilitas), (2) peningkatan pendapatan, dan (3) peningkatan pemahaman terhadap konsep sumber bahaya dan konsep biaya kecelakaan kerja.Ergonomics Status of Indonesian Forestry Workers: Physical-Mental-Social Fatigue, Job Satisfaction, Concept of Hazards, and Concept of Accident CostAbstractSustainable forest management requires attention to the protection of occupational safety and health (OSH), in addition to attention to aspects of work productivity, and the welfare of managers/workers. In Indonesia, these four aspects, which are the main objectives of ergonomics studies, have not received much attention, although forest management activities are activities with a high risk of OSH disorders. This study aims to present an overview of the conditions of physical-mental-social fatigue, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), job satisfaction, perception of hazards sources, and perception toward work accident costs from workers involved in forest management activities in Indonesia. Fatigue status was measured using the Cumulative Fatigue Symptom Index (CFSI) and MSDs were investigated using Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ). Job satisfaction, perception of the source of danger, and the cost of accidents were traced using questionnaires and interviews (face to face, open and semi-structured questions). Data were taken from 98 respondents consisting of forest rangers, forest inventory workers, logging supervisors, and administrative staff during February 2016–October 2017. The CFSI analysis shows that forest guarding and forest inventory have caused intense physical and mental fatigue (in the form of excessive anxiety). The SNQ analysis confirms intense MSDs complaints at the waist, back, neck, shoulders, and arm. The general characteristics of the respondents were having: (1) limited financial capacity, (2) inadequate knowledge to recognize various potential hazards sources at work, and (3) inappropriate understanding of the concept of accident costs. The limitations on the respondents’ cognitive, has made participatory OSH mechanisms alone (to improve OSH protection) is not an appropriate option. Efforts to improve OHS protection should be carried out in the form of (1) improving workplace facilities (health facilities, social and communication facilities, accessibility), (2) improving remuneration, and (3) improving knowledge on the concepts of the source of hazards and accident cost

Addressing Occupational Ergonomics Issues in Indonesian Forestry: Laborers, Operators, or Equivalent Workers

This study addresses occupational ergonomics issues in Indonesian forestry (work conditions, workers\u27 characteristics, occupational safety, occupational health, and job satisfaction) to acquire a comprehensive perspective in understanding the actual problems facing the operations. Direct observation, interview, questionnaires, and secondary data analyses were carried out to acquire all of the required information. A total of 191 frontline forestry workers (chainsaw operators, helpers, manual hauling workers, skidder/tractor operators, logging truck drivers, and nursery workers) participated in this study. The study shows that various techniques of forest operations (labor-intensive to semi-mechanized systems) have been applied in Indonesian plantation forests, both short and long-rotation, as well as in natural forest management. Most of the workers were non-permanent workers, who receive a low wage, work under a straight piecework system, have a high dependency on the forestry work to make a living, and exhibit poor comprehension of the concept of hazard control. The fatality rate was recorded as 1.3 deaths/106 m3 log, but this may be even higher as this rate only represents data taken from formal forestry workers. An intense physical dimension of fatigue occurs among workers involved in forest operations, with the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the upper back, lower back, neck, shoulders, and arms. This study reveals eight variables that influenced job satisfaction, i.e., wage, type of contract, accessibility, health services, living facilities, work equipment, training, and social facilities

Ergonomic Analysis of Traditional Pine Oleoresin Tapping: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Cumulative Fatigue, and Job Satisfaction

Pine oleoresin is a valuable non-timber forest product commodity in Indonesia. A traditional tapping using small-sized hoes ("kadukul" in Sundanese or "pethel" in Javanese) are widely applied. Given the protection of occupational safety and health is a worker's right, various ergonomic issues were discussed in this study. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) was examined by using Standardized Nordic Questionnaire and Wong-Baker Pain Rating Scale instruments, physical-mental-social fatigue was measured by Cumulative Fatigue Symptoms Index (CFSI), and job satisfaction was tested from eight variables such as wage, employment status, accessibility, health service, living facilities, work equipment, training, and social facility. This study revealed that most of the workers suffered from intense MSDs in the shoulder, arm, wrist, hand, thigh, calf, and foot (mostly right body side). This finding was in line with the CFSI analysis.  The common fatigue symptoms suffered by the workers were in the category of the physical dimension, such as in sub-dimensions of general fatigue, chronics fatigue, and physical disorder. The job satisfaction analysis confirmed that two variables, i.e., wage and employment status, influenced job satisfaction significantly in a positive association. Proper personal protective equipment and workaid, working techniques improvement that meets occupational safety and health standard, and safety behavior incentive should be considered as effective strategies in improving the worker's safety and health protection.Keywords: forest harvesting, forestry worker, non-timber forest product, physical fatigue, safet

High Risk Posture on Motor-Manual Short Wood Logging System in Acacia mangium Plantation

Motor-manual logging has been considered as the most dominant logging system in Java Island, Indonesia. The system-which consisted of felling, delimbing, bucking, hauling, and transporting activities- involves a combination of stress factors e.q. difficult work postures, generation of force, and lifting techniques. In the other hand, combination of the three is well associated with high risk of work-related musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs), including musculoskeletal disorders. This research aimed to assess difficult work posture on felling, delimbing, bucking, and manually short wood hauling by employing rapid entire body assessment (REBA) technique and muscular pain scoring based on the worker's perceive. It was revealed that felling and manual hauling were scored 4 in the REBA action level, indicated very high MSIs risk level, and categorized as “necessary now” for an injury risk preventive action. The workers' pain scoring indicated that low back (spine in general) disorders resulting in low back pain has been considered to be the one of the leading safety issues in the felling and manual hauling. Regardless to complex mechanism of how the personal risk and environmental factors associated with manual material handling injuries, job-related factors approach should be underlined in the MSIs prevention initiative in motor-manual logging

Sources of Timber and Constraints to the Timber Acquisition of Jepara‘s Small-Scale Furniture Industries

Teak and mahogany furniture industries in Jepara are dominated by small-scale industrial unit, produce simple type of furniture mostly made from less than 28 cm diameter of teak log.  Timber main producers of the industries are Perum Perhutani and village plantations.  Small-scale furniture industries characterized by limited capital, therefore there is no log stocking behavior. This resulted in a close interaction on log supply and demand dynamics between both traders and industries. As a consequence of drastic increase in the number of the industries, one big question on sustainability of raw material for the industries has been emerged. Data taken from this research indicated scarcity of teak and mahogany log.  Limited capital directs industries to blame the difficulties mainly due to increasing timber price. Additionally, the industries (and log traders) who are stand mostly in level 2 of log distribution chain mentioned that compared to 10 years ago, there is difficulty in obtaining bigger log diameter.  It is a very interesting finding that the industries do not certainly sense timber scarcity as one possibility reason behind the timber scarcity.  As weakness on business resilience has been the main characteristic of the industries, the threads would give a direct impact to the industries soon or later.  To this, serious efforts in maintaining timber sustainability, shortening timber distribution chain, together with capital strengthening seem to be the fastest way in supporting the sustainability of the industries.Keywords: teak furniture, timber price, small-scale, timber scarcit