An Ergonomic Assessment of Manual Planting Pinus Radiata Seedlings

Abstract This report summarises findings of an ergonomic evaluation of manual planting under three different site conditions. Heart rate data were collected and analysed using several heart rate indices. The three sites did not differ greatly, producing mean working heart rates that ranged from 132.7 bt.min-1 (± 16.2) to 134.9 bt.min-1 (± 13.8). Results indicate that manually planting Pinus radiata seedlings on all three sites can be classified as “hard continuous work” or “very heavy work”. Planters maintained similar mean working heart rates for all three sites by decreasing productivity as planting conditions became more difficult. Body part discomfort was only experienced when planting on pasture, where slight to severe discomfort was reported 48% of the time. Hazard occurrence was low for all three site conditions.