Mechanical Cockles Harvester : An Ergonomic Study
By Rosmaria Abu Darim , Abu Bakar Tumin Brackishwater Aquaculture Research Centre ( FRI Gelang Patah )
Noorul Azreen Azis Ergonomics Excellence Centre , National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health , Johor
Raemy Md Zein Consultation , Research and Development Department , National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health , Selangor
FEATURE
To date , the process of harvesting adult cockles and cockle spat has been carried out using a traditional hand scoop tool . In this study , a mechanical apparatus for adult cockles harvesting was developed and an ergonomic risk factor comparison of the mechanical apparatus with the traditional hand scoop ( tangguk kerang ) was then carried out . The muscle activity assessment showed a reduction in Maximum Voluntary Contraction ( MVC ) using the mechanical apparatus at selected muscles ; neck extensor muscles ( L : 31 %; R : 16 %), trapezius muscles ( L : 29 %; R : 34 %), erector spinae muscles ( L : 43 %; R : 31 %), anterior deltoid muscles ( L : 20 %; R : 15 %) and brachioradialis muscles ( L : 54 %; R : 486 %). The overall Low Back Disorder ( LBD ) risk using the mechanical apparatus showed the lowest risk probability with 21 % compared with the traditional harvester with 51 %. Thus , the interventions of the mechanical apparatus significantly reduced the probability of LBD risks as compared with traditional tools .
Cockles ( Anadara granosa ) are abundant along the west coast of Malaysia covering the states of Penang , Kedah , Perak , Selangor and Johor ( Rosmaria et al . 2018 ). Statistics from the Department of Fisheries Malaysia ( 2013-2016 ) showed an increase in cockle production in the State of Johor , which resulted in an increase from 29.40mT in 2014 to 1263.21mT in 2016 .
Pontian , Johor was declared a National Cockles ’ Hub by the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry on July 14 , 2018 . This could transform cockle production in terms of productivity , management and equipment / machinery used in Pontian and could be the best example in the country . Cockles can be harvested throughout the year .
Based on the Fisheries Act 1985 , the minimum allowed size for adult cockles that may be harvested is 2.5cm and greater than 0.4cm in length for cockle spat . To sustain the source of cockles in the country , Fisheries Regulation 2002 ( Cockles Conservation and Culture ) allows the use of both hand scoops or mechanical apparatus in natural cockle beds or cockle cultures . The harvesting of adult cockles and cockle spat is carried out when the tide is at 2-3m in depth . Until now , harvesting adult cockles and cockle spat has been carried out using a traditional hand scoop tool ( Figure 1 ). The operation is conducted
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