Hand Tool Intervention for Rubber Tappers Using Modified Michie Golledge Knife

Area of Science:

• Ergonomics
• Occupational Health
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Rubber tapping is a physically demanding job leading to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
• Traditional tapping methods pose risks to tappers' hand and wrist health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of an ergonomically modified rubber tapping knife on tappers' hand posture.
• To assess the effectiveness of an ergonomic tool in mitigating MSD risks.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study involving 32 rubber tappers using a modified tapping knife.
• Evaluated hand grip strength, endurance, chip thickness, tapping time, and hand posture (RULA).
• Utilized CATIA V6, Standard Nordic Questionnaire, video analysis, and direct observation.

Main Results:

• Reduced mean grip strength loss (2.96 kg vs 7.31 kg) and hand endurance time reduction (1.78 s vs 3.34 s) with the modified knife.
• No significant effect on chip thickness; slight increase in tapping time observed, likely due to a learning curve.
• Significant improvement in hand posture assessed by the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool.

Conclusions:

• The ergonomically modified tapping knife significantly improves hand posture for rubber tappers.
• Reduced grip strength loss and enhanced endurance suggest a lower risk of MSDs.
• The modified tool offers a promising solution for improving occupational health in rubber tapping.