Advanced Engineering Forum Vol. 10

Abstract: Autistic children with hyperactive behavior are usually denied when it comes to teaching of Al Quran or academic skills due to their inability to focus and participate in learning. They exhibit minimal time of attention while learning as they enjoy running around and engaging in other activities that stimulates them. This study was carried out in order to identify an environment that accommodates learning and hyperactive behavior of autistic children. The learning of Al Quran was taught in two different environments. The first environment was the school center where the students sits on the floor and the second environment was in a stroller. A driving car was also used as an alternative. The result of this study indicated that the level of participation in a stroller and car increased and it was more effective for gaining the childs participation compared to the sitting in the class.

Abstract: This paper present the discussion of methods used in experimental studies of thermal comfort that only focus on the effect skin temperature of human. The study was conducted human subject tests in a controlled environment chamber for cooling conditions. This study was measure in the test climate chamber at Universiti Malaysia Pahang. Three broad methodology categories are compared which are experiments in which subjects have control of air temperature, relative humidity or neither. The local supply air temperatures were at 19, 25 and 32 °C while relative humidity was at 40, 55 and 70%. Together with a previously proposed diagram of basic features of the human thermoregulatory system may be used to specify limits for air temperature and relative humidity in the indoor environment.

Abstract: Different CCT provided by different lighting are important in affecting human beings psychologically and physiologically, as well as visual and non-visual processes. This study aim in finding out the effects of warm white (WW) light (CCT=2700K), cool white (CW) light (CCT=4000K) and artificial Daylight (CCT=6200K) on workers alertness, visual comfort level, preferences and task performance. A repeated measure experimental study was conducted among 46 office workers under controlled environment. Alertness levels were measured by Karolinska Sleepiness Scale. Office Lighting Survey was used to evaluate visual comfort and preference. Typing speed and accuracy also were tested. Paired Sample T-Test was used and the results showed that there was significant reduction of subjective alertness level in WW light (p=0.001). In term of typing performances, subjects performed significantly better in term of typing speed under CW light and Daylight than WW light. Less typing errors were made under DL, followed by CW light. Meanwhile WW light lead to high typing errors. Besides, CW light is the most preferred whereas subjects feel most comfortable under Daylight. Subjects indicated that they can perform longer works in this coloured-lit environment. The CW light and DL light were more beneficial for office setting for computer-based task.

Abstract: Based on the Market Watch 2012 with regards to the ASEAN region, Malaysia is the third biggest automotive manufacturing nation which employs more than 300,000 people. To accomplish their operation demands, manufacturing companies such as Proton and Perodua would utilize artificial lighting in their respective manufacturing plants. Research on the effects of artificial lighting on human expended about millions of dollars every years. Sufficient lighting is required for effective tasks completion while providing adequate visual capability, thus will ensure the safety of the operators. Eye strain, migraine and headache are among the common symptoms caused by poor lighting at workplace. This study aims to review on prior research regarding sufficient lighting while giving a special focus on light assessment techniques and tools in determining the luminous level in manufacturing plants. This study will contribute to create awareness among the manufacturing plant on the importance of lighting in term of work performance and occupational safety and health.

Abstract: Thermal manikin tests were performed on selected protective garments to assess their heat transfer properties during exposure to infrared heat radiation. Comparing a newly developed Infrared (IR) Heat Radiation attenuatuion vest with a standard winter jacket, it could be seen that that the IR Vest provided a thermal comfort benefit above a heat radiation exposure level of 150 Watts while the winter jacket provided a thermal benefit above a 450 Watt heat radiation exposure level. The study identified important temperature cross-over points which define the thermodynamic properties and also characterize the heat radiation attenuation and heat insulation properties of garments. The evaluation method is seen as a new design tool for optimizing garment comfort and safety.

Abstract: A study is carried out to investigate the effects of driving environment on the mental workload of train drivers while driving. The driving task is performed under three environmental conditions, i.e. clear sunny day, rainy day and rainy night driving. Electroencephalography (EEG) measurements are recorded from the Fz and Pz channels of fifteen male subjects aged between 24 to 48 years old. The mean alpha power is monitored as a function of time as this signal reflects the variations in mental workload of the drivers. The results exhibit that the signal pattern for rainy night driving condition is significantly different compared to others. This finding indicates that the train drivers show an increase in mental workload after six minutes of driving under rainy night condition. The results demonstrate a percentage difference in mean alpha power of 37% between daytime and rainy night driving conditions during the early periods of driving. This indicates that the mental workload of train drivers tends to be low with an increased level of sleepiness under such conditions, which are signs of low vigilance.

Abstract: Oil palm workers perform daily activities that exposed themselves to various ergonomics risk factors. To harvest oil palm fruits from tall trees, specific technique is required. To quantify the ergonomics risks factors, postural analysis was conducted using Quick Exposure Check (QEC) system. It was found oil palm workers were exposed to many postural problems while performing harvesting and collecting fresh fruit bunch (FFB) activities. However, to quantify the actual load, many limitations of the QEC have been revealed such the missing of legs assessment, the crude analysis for arm and shoulder, no pushing and pulling assessment and the biased may be existed due to the workers perception on the ergonomics factors. Thus, it can be concluded that QEC system was not suitable for conducting postural analysis during harvesting in oil palm plantation especially in tall trees due to the above limitations.

Abstract: Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in the agricultural industry is a very serious problem but it is not well investigated and understood. In this paper, the authors have made an attempt to evaluate the prevalence of WMSD in oil palm industry during harvesting fresh fruit bunches (FFB). Data collection was conducted by conducting face-to-face structured interviews with FFB harvesters. In addition, video recording on seven FFB harvesters were conducted while they are performing the harvesting work. Demographic data shows that the mean age of FFB harvester was 41.3 years and 71.4% of them are smokers. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method was used to evaluate the prevalence of WMSD by observing the working postures of the FFB harvesters. RULA analysis of the observed results showed that 83% of the FFB harvesters have scored 7 during harvesting work, which means postural changes must be carried out immediately. Meanwhile, 17% FFB harvesters have scored 5, which means postural change must be carried out soon. Repetitive work is also a main factor that contributes to high prevalence of WMSD among FFB harvesters while they are pulling and pushing the FFB.

Abstract: Indonesia is an agricultural country and most of the population work in that sector. Indonesia focusses its development on the agricultural sector which emphasize on rice plantation. One of the obstacle on the agricultural sector in Indonesia is the conventional work method that is manually planting the rice in the rice field. However, this kind of method can affect the musculoskeletal system. Musculoskeletal discomfort complained because of excessive muscle contraction as an effect of heavy workload in a long duration. The objectives of this research was designing rice planter tool using participatory ergonomic approachment. This design could reduce the injury risks and musculoskeletal complaints and increase the productivity.There was a comparison between the proposed rice planter tool design with the conventional method of rice planting based on the musculoskeletal complaints, time efficiency and expended cost. TheREBA scoring result indicates that new-concept of rice planter tool improves subjective comfort level and reduces injury risks in the trunk, waist, right and left shoulders. By using the rice planter tool, the injury risk can be reduced until 66.67%. On the other side, suppose the same worker which usually plants one rice sprout with conventional method spends time about x seconds. Compared by using the proposed rice planter tool, the worker only spends 0,5x seconds from conventional method rice planting. Therefore, the time for rice planting will be more efficient by using this tool.

Abstract: Ergonomics has plays an important role to improve occupational health and work productivity in most industries in Malaysia including agriculture. However, most of the workers in Malaysia especially in oil palm plantation do not highlight ergonomics awareness as priority for their safety and health. They still using manual tools and consequently exposed to ergonomics risk factors. The objective of this study is to evaluate working postures during harvesting oil palm fresh fruit bunches. The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) is used to evaluate risks working postures and movements corresponding to the tasks. From the analysis, it is revealed that most of the oil palm workers were affected by musculoskeletal disorders especially on left and right hand side. Immediate action such as conduct ergonomics training for the workers must be taken to solve this ergonomic problem.