Management Support in Enhancing Participatory Ergonomic Interventions in Palm Oil Industry

Abstract

This study is conducted in a palm oil industry in North Sumatera. The palm oil industry, which has great potential to end poverty, is usually performed by manual workers in such a way that it may cause musculoskeletal disorders. This is a challenge for future palm oil industry’s continuity. Participatory ergonomic intervention is one way to reduce this risk and needs management support for its success in implementation. A questionnaire is then spread to find the most influential type of management support that may promote active participation from workers. The recapitulation of the questionnaire shows that “being involved” as the highest score, followed by work authority and management commitment. Workers’ participation in ergonomic program implementation can only be realized if the management is committed.