ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF MANUAL LOADING AND UNLOADING OF WOOD IN FORESTRY TRUCKS

Abstract

This evaluation aims to analyze and innovate the manual wood loading and unloading workstation in forestry trucks, as well as to highlight ergonomics as a tool within the business and small enterprise management field to achieve production outcomes and improve workers' quality of life.The methodology involves both quantitative and qualitative assessment. Results: The evaluation revealed manual handling of loads that requires prompt corrective actions. Interventions led to the acquisition of machinery, including a crane and a wood splitter. Additionally, an organizational-level intervention resulted in the hiring of two additional workers, allowing the company to maintain economic income throughout the year. Conclusion: This assessment analyzed the manual wood loading and unloading workstation in forestry trucks, successfully describing and evaluating both the job and the organization of the family-owned small business. Subsequently, the ergonomic intervention, which introduced technology into tasks that were previously performed solely manually, helped reduce musculoskeletal discomfort among workers. Processes were redesigned to improve performance and increase income.However, this evaluation did not address all subsystems in which there are health and safety risk factors for workers. Therefore, further assessments of the various workstations are necessary, along with the proposal of improvements—technological or organizational—for future research.