LOPES, E. S.; SOUZA, A. P.; OLIVEIRA, F. M.; RODRIGUES, C. K. Repetitive motion and postural analysis of machine operators in mechanized wood harvesting operations. CERNE, v. 25, n. 2, p.214-220, 2019. HIGHLIGHTSFeller buncher operators have adopted only one posture during the entire working day.Difficult visibility of the operation contributed to the adoption of improper posture at work. Repetitive motions may contribute to the RSI/MSDs.Ergonomic measures should be adopted to improve operators' comfort and health. ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to evaluate operators' posture and repetitive motions in the mechanized wood harvesting operations, aiming comfort, safety, and health of forest operators. The study was carried out in the clearcutting of pine stands located in Paraná State, Brazil. Data were obtained in tree cutting operations with feller buncher and wood processing with harvesters, in which three operators in each machine were filmed during their workday. The typical postures were evaluated by Rapid Whole-Body Assessment (REBA) and Rapid Upper-Limb Assessment (RULA) methods, while repetitive motions were evaluated by Latko, Silverstein and Strain Index (SI) methods. The results showed the feller buncher operators remained long period seated in static position, with fists turning outside the neutral line and without pauses for recovery, although REBA and RULA methods had identified low postural risk. In wood processing operation, the spinal column and neck were the most affected body parts, presenting medium postural risk and the need for investigations and quickly changes by REBA and RULA methods, respectively. Besides that, wood harvesting operations with feller buncher and harvester were classified as high repeatability, showing more than 30 thousand repetitive motions in a workday, indicating high risk of Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) in the operators. Therefore, it is concluded the ergonomic measures are necessary to improve operators' comfort and health. v.25 n.2 2019 215 CERNE PAINI et al.

RESUMOO objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma avaliação postural de um operador na atividade de carregamento mecanizado da madeira, visando a melhoria das condições de conforto, segurança e saúde. O estudo foi realizado em uma empresa florestal, no município de Curiúva, Paraná, sendo os dados coletados na atividade de carregamento mecanizado de toras de Pinus taeda para o transporte principal, com uso de uma escavadeira hidráulica. A avaliação postural foi realizada por meio de filmagens, identificando as posturas típicas adotadas pelo operador no trabalho, sendo os dados analisados pelos métodos RULA (Rapid Upper-Limb Assessment) e REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment). Os resultados mostraram que a postura adotada pelo operador na posição de neutralidade por longo período de tempo, as mãos e pulsos realizando movimentos repetitivos e as frequentes rotações do tronco apresentam riscos à saúde, necessitando da adoção de medidas ergonômicas para a melhoria nas condições trabalho. Foi ainda verificado a necessidade de alternância de posturas para relaxamento muscular, evitando a ocorrência de fadiga e para a melhoria do conforto e saúde do operador. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Avaliação postural, colheita mecanizada, ergonomia. BODY POSTURE OF OPERATOR IN MECHANIZED TIMBER LOADING -CASE STUDYABSTRACT The objective of this study was conduct a postural evaluation of one operator in mechanized wood loading, aiming to improve the conditions of comfort, safety and health. The study took place in a forestry company at the city of Curiúva, Paraná, Brazil. Data were collected in mechanized loading of pine logs to main transportation, using a hydraulic excavator. Postural assessment was carried out by shooting an operator, identifying typical postures at work, and data were analyzed by RULA (Rapid Upper-Limb Assessment) and REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) methods. There were identified risk to operator's health due to his posture assumed

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