Addressing Labour Ergonomics through Automation in Oil Palm Plantation Activities: A Necessity for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

A key element of the potential of robotics is understanding how effective automation can improve labour-intensive jobs while also considering worker ergonomics. These sectors often depend on manual labour, which exposes employees to considerable ergonomic stress, especially musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that can result from repetitive and physically demanding activities like harvesting, pruning, and lifting heavy items. By coordinating automation tools such as harvesters, unloaders, and driverless carts with the various manual tasks that workers perform, we can significantly lower safety risks. The main objective of introducing automation is to reduce the physical strain on workers, which not only aims to alleviate MSD-related health problems but also helps to lessen worker fatigue. Effectively integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics will improve workforce efficiency, making the Brightfield industry stronger. Transitioning from manual tasks to automated solutions is just the initial step toward enhancing production in this field. By tackling these ergonomic issues through automation, this paper highlights the dual advantages of promoting worker health and increasing productivity in the industry