Implementación de un sistema semiautomatizado en el área de secado de cacao mediante una banda transportadora en la empresa Aprocai ubicada en la provincia de Chimborazo cantón Cumandá con el fin de minimizar riesgos ergonómicos.

Abstract

The present work carried out the implementation of a semi-automated system in the area of cocoa drying through a conveyor belt in the company APROCAI located in Chimborazo province, Cumandá canton with the aim of minimizing ergonomic risks. The following methodology or procedure was carried out to develop the work the identification of activities realized in the process of obtaining cocoa beans, the drying area had the greatest affectation of ergonomic risks, the EPR method determined the present risks, the REBA method applied for inadequate postures and overexertion, the INSHT equation for uprising loads, these methodologies applied for the prior evaluation to the implementation the conveyor belt elaborated from the material of transport as well as the selection of rollers, tensions of band and the calculation of the required power; as a result of conveyor belt implementation in the drying area observed in the ergonomic evaluation a decrease in the risk level score REBA of 14 considered very high risk to a score of 6 which translates in a level of moderate risk. The research paper concludes the conveyor belt implementation affects the postural adoption on the part of the worker which diminishes the direct load of the cocoa which transport from the bottom of drying oven until the average load height of the cocoa sack for this it must be taken into account the correct method for evaluation.