The effect of a slack-pulling device in reducing operator physiological workload during log winching operations

Raffaele Spinelli; G O Aalmo; Natascia Magagnotti

doi:10.1080/00140139.2014.983184

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The effect of a slack-pulling device in reducing operator physiological workload during log winching operations

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The effect of a slack-pulling device in reducing operator physiological workload during log winching operations

Raffaele Spinelli, G O Aalmo and Natascia Magagnotti

Ergonomics, Vol.58(5), pp.781-790

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2014.983184

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Abstract

agriculture ergonomics

equipment design

industrial ergonomics

operator physiological workload

The authors conducted a comparative test to determine whether the introduction of a hydraulic slack puller allowed reducing the physiological workload of operators assigned to log winching tasks. The tests were conducted in northern Italy, on the mountains near Como. The study involved five volunteer subjects, considered representatives of the regional logging workforce. Physiological workload was determined by measuring the operators' heart rate upon completion of specific tasks. The slack puller improved the efficiency of downhill winching, since it allowed a single operator to pull out the cable on his own, without requiring the assistance of a colleague. However, introduction of the slack puller did not result in any reductions of operator physiological workload. The main stressor when working on a steep slope is moving up and down the slope: pulling a cable is only a secondary stressor. Any measures targeting secondary stressors are unlikely to produce dramatic reductions of operator workload.

Details

Title: The effect of a slack-pulling device in reducing operator physiological workload during log winching operations
Authors: Raffaele Spinelli (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
G O Aalmo (Author) - Norsk institutt for skog og landskap, Norway
Natascia Magagnotti (Author) - CNR - IVALSA, Italy
Publication details: Ergonomics, Vol.58(5), pp.781-790
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
Date published: 2015
DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2014.983184
ISSN: 0014-0139
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Industries Research Centre; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448714702621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Engineering, Industrial; Ergonomics; Psychology; Psychology, Applied

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