A Mobile based Decision Support System for Postural Evaluation of  Agricultural Activities with Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)

Sahana M.R.; Shashi Dahiya; Pratibha Joshi; Mukesh Kumar; Alka Arora; Ramasubramanian V.

doi:10.56093/jisas.v78i02.171392

Authors

Sahana M.R. The Graduate School, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
Shashi Dahiya ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi
Pratibha Joshi ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
Mukesh Kumar ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi
Alka Arora ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi
Ramasubramanian V. ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad

https://doi.org/10.56093/jisas.v78i02.171392

Keywords:

Drudgery; Postural assessment; REBA; Mobile application.

Abstract

Agriculture is an unorganized sector and it is a very high drudgery prone profession due to the absence of awareness and entry of advanced agricultural technologies. Many farming activities and operations are carried out by farm workers in the agriculture sector, where they are subject to very poor working conditions which can lead to physical and mental stress. Workers in agriculture experience musculoskeletal disorders in various body parts throughout various agricultural operations. These problems are caused by heavy work loads, repetitive movements, uncomfortable postures, prolonged periods of time spent in neutral or unsupported positions and the use of conventional equipment and implements that are not ergonomically built. The ergonomic risk factors present in the workplace can be examined using various evaluation instruments to ascertain the workers abilities and drawbacks. The work-related risks are measured using the scientifically validated posture assessment instruments. Rapid entire body assessment
(REBA) is a technique that assess a person’s complete body including wrists, fore arms, elbows, shoulders, neck, trunk, back, legs and knees. It uses a systematic process to find the postural musculoskeletal disorders and risks associated with the job tasks. A mobile application is developed to assess the agricultural activities on the basis of physiological analysis and postural analysis using REBA ergonomics technique. The application evaluates the drudgery involved in the agricultural work by using physical assessment followed by postural ergonomics methods and provide recommendation of correct posture to avoid developing musculoskeletal disorders.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abhishek, M.P., Kumar, M., Joshi, P., Dahiya, S., Arora, A. and Pal, S. (2019). Development and validation of mobile based decision support system for postural assessment of agricultural activities using rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) technique. Progressive Research, 14, 335-337.

Boocock, M.G., Jackson, J.A., Burton, A.K. and Tillotson, K.M. (1994). Continuous measurement of lumbar spinal posture using flexible electrogoniometers. Ergonomics, 37, 175-185.

Devi, G.N., Mallikarjun, M., Reddy, P.N. and Kumar, M.R. (2019). Ergonomic study on drudgery reduction using easy planter for transplanting tomato seedlings. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 8(7), 2499-2506.

Halim, I., Arep, H., Kamat, S.R., Abdullah, R., Omar, A.R. and Ismail, A.R. (2014). Development of a decision support system for analysis and solutions of prolonged standing in the workplace. Safety and Health at Work, 5(2), 97-105.

Hignett, S. and McAtamney, L. (2000). Rapid entire body assessment (REBA). Applied Ergonomics, 31(2), 201-205.

Jager, M. and Luttmann, A. (1999). The load on the lumbar spine during asymmetrical bi-manual materials handling. Ergonomics, 35, 783-805.

Joosab, M., Torode, M. and Rao, P.V. (1994). Preliminary findings on the effect of load carrying to the structural integrity of the cervical spine. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 16(4), 393-398.

Joshi, P., Jethi, R., Chandra, N., Roy, M.L., Kharbikar, H.L. and Atheequlla, G.A. (2016). Ergonomics assessment of post harvest finger millet threshing for reducing women drudgery. Indian Research Journal of Extension Education, 15(1), 25-30.

Khayer, S.M., Patel, T. and Ningthoujam, B. (2019). Ergonomic postural and biomechanical analysis of manual weeding operation in agriculture using digital human models. Research into Design for a Connected World, Springer, Singapore, 41: 451-462.

Kuiper, J.I., Burdorf, A., Verbeek, J.H. et al. (1999). Epidemiologic evidence on manual materials handling as a risk factor for back disorders: a systematic review. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 24, 389–404.

Ojha, P., Poonam, S. and Abha, S. (2017). Assessment of drudgery level of female farm workers involved in sugarcane cultivation. Asian Journal of Home Science, 12(1), 205-207.

Sharda, R., Barr, S.H. and McDonnell, J.C. (1988). Decision support system effectiveness: a review and an empirical test. Management Science, 34(2), 139-159.

Singh, S.P., Gite, L.P., Majumder, J. and Agarwal, N. (2008). Aerobic capacity of farmwomen using sub-maximal exercise technique on treadmill. Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR Journal, Manuscript MES 08(10), 1-10.

Mallick, P. (2016). Mobile application for plant quarantine regulations to import in India. M.Sc. Thesis Dissertation, IASRI, New Delhi.

Priyadarshini, S. (2016). Mobile app for chlorophyll content estimation in rice. M.Sc. Thesis Dissertation, IASRI, New Delhi.

Pal, A., De, S., Sengupta, P., Maity, P. and Dhara, P.C. (2015). Evaluation of work related musculoskeletal disorder and postural stress among female potato cultivators in West Bengal, India. Ergonomics SA: Journal of the Ergonomics Society of South Africa, 27(1), 46-64.

Sung, K. and Freivalds, A. (2014). Evaluating both physiological and biomechanical strains in women using different hoe handle designs. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 58(1), 1795-1799. Sage CA: Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications.

Sonkusle, L. (2018). Mobile app for ergonomics assessment of drudgery prone activities in agriculture (Master’s thesis). Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, IARI, New Delhi.

Tutorial, XML (2006). W3Schools. Available at: http://www.w3schools.com/xml/default.asp

Vasudevan, S. and Misra, K.D. (2016). Sourcebook on Drudgery Reduction Technologies for Women in Rural Areas. Vigyan Prasar, pp. 25-95.