Abstract
Abstract: Manual material handling activities on the production line of PT MYR, particularly in the Sugar Vibro, Sugar Grinding, and SSK sections, have the potential to pose a risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), specifically Low Back Pain (LBP). This study aims to evaluate the working posture of production operators, identify the body parts most vulnerable to injury, and formulate recommendations for ergonomic work facilities and methods to reduce injury risk levels and enhance work efficiency. The method used in this study is a combination of the Nordic Body Map (NBM) questionnaire to measure the subjective physical complaints of respondents (n=20) and the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method based on digital/photo data processing to objectively evaluate the joint angles of operator postures. The results of the NBM questionnaire data processing indicated that complaints were most dominant in the waist area at 95% (19 out of 20 respondents) and the back area at 75% (15 out of 20 respondents), followed by complaints in the right shoulder (55%) and left shoulder (50%). The posture analysis using the RULA method indicated high to very high ergonomic risk levels: at the Sugar Vibro station, the lifting sacks from pallet activity achieved a final RULA score of 7 (Action Level 4, very high risk), pouring sacks into machine hopper activity achieved a final RULA score of 6 (Action Level 3, high risk), the Sugar Grinding station scored 5 (Action Level 3), and the SSK station scored 7 (Action Level 4). The primary factors contributing to the high LBP risk in operators were the high trunk flexion angle of up to 65°, repetitive lifting of loads weighing 25–50 kg, and static arm and wrist positions without ergonomic support. The proposed improvement recommendations include modifying and redesigning workstations, providing ergonomic material handling equipment, designing work rotation schedules, and conducting regular muscle stretching programs. Keywords: Ergonomics, Nordic Body Map (NBM), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Low Back Pain (LBP), Production Operators, Manual Material Handling. Abstrak: Aktivitas penanganan material secara manual (manual material handling) pada lini produksi PT MYR, khususnya bagian Vibro Gula, Gula Giling, dan SSK, berpotensi menimbulkan risiko cedera otot rangka (Musculoskeletal Disorders/MSDs), khususnya Low Back Pain (LBP). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi postur kerja operator produksi, mengidentifikasi bagian tubuh yang paling berpotensi mengalami gangguan, serta merumuskan usulan perbaikan fasilitas dan cara kerja yang ergonomis guna mengurangi tingkat risiko cedera dan meningkatkan efisiensi kerja. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kombinasi kuesioner Nordic Body Map (NBM) untuk mengukur tingkat keluhan fisik subjektif responden (n=20) dan metode Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) berbasis pengolahan data digital/foto untuk mengevaluasi sudut-sudut persendian postur kerja operator secara objektif. Hasil pengolahan data kuesioner NBM menunjukkan keluhan paling dominan dialami pekerja pada area pinggang sebesar 95% (19 dari 20 responden) dan area punggung sebesar 75% (15 dari 20 responden), diikuti oleh keluhan pada bahu kanan (55%) dan bahu kiri (50%). Hasil analisis postur kerja dengan metode RULA mengindikasikan tingkat risiko ergonomi yang tinggi hingga sangat tinggi: stasiun Vibro Gula aktivitas mengangkat karung dari pallet memperoleh skor akhir RULA 7 (Action Level 4, berisiko sangat tinggi), aktivitas menuang karung ke corong mesin memperoleh skor akhir RULA 6 (Action Level 3, berisiko tinggi), stasiun Gula Giling memperoleh skor 5 (Action Level 3), dan stasiun SSK memperoleh skor 7 (Action Level 4). Faktor utama penyebab tingginya risiko LBP pada operator adalah tingginya sudut fleksi pembungkukan batang tubuh (trunk) hingga 65°, pengangkatan beban berulang seberat 25–50 kg, serta posisi lengan dan pergelangan tangan yang menahan beban statis tanpa penopang ergonomis. Rekomendasi perbaikan yang diusulkan meliputi modifikasi dan redesign stasiun kerja, penyediaan alat bantu penanganan material ergonomis, perancangan jadwal rotasi kerja, serta program regangan otot berkala. Kata kunci: Ergonomi, Nordic Body Map (NBM), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) Low Back Pain (LBP), Operator Produksi, Manual Material Handling.
