Evaluation of Job Rotation Effects on Chain Saw Operators
Authors
Fernando Seixas
Piracicaba, Brazil
Francisco Alberto Ducatti
Piracicaba, Brazil
Abstract
This paper analyses the effects of job rotation on physical effort in chain saw operations. This study was conducted in a seven-year old Eucalyptus grandis plantation harvested with a short-wood clearcut system. A practical application of ergonomie principles was utilized, considering heart rate as the method to evaluate the heaviness of work. Data were collected in a situation where the chain saw operator and his assistant rotated primary tasks to reduce physiological workload. Piling logs was the most demanding activity for the assistant, while the chain saw operator primarily is exposed to chain saw noise and vibration. Rotating jobs on this situation did not significantly reduce the total physiological workload on saw operators.
