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The effect of fluid consumption on the forest workers' performance strategy
Dianne Staal Wästerlund1, Janet Chaseling, Lage Burström
1Department of Silviculture, Division of Forest Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå SE-901 83, Sweden. dianne.wasterlund@ssko.slu.se
Applied Ergonomics
|February 27, 2004
Summary
Manual forest workers took longer to complete tasks with lower fluid intake. Individual heart rate responses varied, highlighting the need for adequate hydration and worker training on its benefits.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Ergonomics
- Forestry science
Background:
- Manual harvesting is physically demanding.
- Fluid consumption can impact worker performance and physiological responses.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for optimizing work strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between fluid consumption and manual forest worker performance.
- To assess the impact of varying fluid intake on heart rate development and time consumption during pulpwood harvesting.
- To determine if hydration strategies affect performance and physiological stress.
Main Methods:
- Four Zimbabwean forest workers participated in an 8-day study.
- Workers harvested pulpwood, with fluid intake varied between 0.17 L and 0.6 L per half-hour.
- A randomized block design was used to assign fluid schemes daily, with four replicates per worker.
Main Results:
- Workers harvested larger trees at the start of the day and smaller trees at the end.
- Task completion time increased significantly under the low fluid consumption scheme.
- Individual heart rate responses to low fluid intake varied, indicating diverse coping strategies.
Conclusions:
- Sufficient fluid supply is essential for maintaining performance in manual forest harvesting.
- Individual physiological responses necessitate tailored approaches to hydration management.
- Worker training on the importance and benefits of adequate fluid intake is recommended.