AULA Outperforms RULA in Evaluating MSD Risks of Oyster Mushroom Farmers: Implications for Safer Farming Practices

Abstract

This study aims to compare the suitability of two ergonomic evaluation tools, AULA and RULA, in assessing musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) potential risks in oyster mushroom farmers. The evaluation was based on 26 activities involved in the oyster mushroom cultivation process, observed in four farms in Lempake Samarinda, and assessed by 12 experienced experts in ergonomics, safety and health, and agriculture. The hit rate and quadratic weighted κ were used to compare the two methods. The results showed that AULA has a higher hit rate and Kappa value than RULA, indicating a moderate level of agreement and greater suitability for evaluating WMSDs of oyster mushroom farmers in Samarinda. This finding has implications for improving the safety and health of farmers in the agriculture sector.