Analysis of ergonomic factors in Eucalyptus timber cutting with chainsaw in mountainous region

摘要

The main objective of this study was the analysis of ergonomic factors in clear-cutting of Eucalyptus plantations with chainsaw, in mountain areas, to reach the improvement of health, well-being, safety, comfort and productivity of the forest worker. The logging method used was the short-wood system. The data collection took place on a forest company on the Vale do Rio Doce region, at the state of Minas Gerais, in Brazil. The climate is classified as subtropical humid and sub-humid, with annual average temperature varying from 20 to 23°C; annual average precipitation varying from 1,100 to 1,400 mm and altitude varying from 200 to 900 m. The study covered the human factors, anthropometry, somatotype, man-chainsaw system and time and motion at the work. The sample was constituted of 29 chainsaw operators working in mountainous stands. The productivity varied from 7.98 to 13.08 m3/day and was significantly explained by age, experience, triceps, fat body composition and body mass index. It was considered that an ideal chainsaw operator to work in mountainous regions, with high productivity, should be young, mesomorphy, with experience on the task and with low percent of body fat.