Replacing Steel Cable with Synthetic Rope to Reduce Operator Workload During Log Winching Operations

The authors conducted three comparative tests, to determine if the replacement of steel cable with synthetic rope may allow reducing the physiological workload of forest operators assigned to log winching tasks. The tests were conducted in Northern Italy, on the Alpine mountain and involved 7 volunteer subjects. The physiological workload was determined by measuring the operator's heart rate upon completion of every task, using heart-rate monitors. Test one was conducted under simplified, controlled conditions and detected a statistically significant reduction of relative heart rate when carrying synthetic rope, as compared to steel cable. However, tests two and three were performed under real operational conditions, and were inconclusive. Real operational conditions are characterized by the interaction of many factors, which may confound the results of the tests, or offset the benefits potentially obtained with the introduction of synthetic rope. Nevertheless, the introduction of synthetic rope offers the benefit of easier handling, which was very much appreciated by all test subjects. © 2011 Steve Harrison, John Herbohn.