An Ergonomic Assessment of the Philippine Kalesa

The kalesa (horse-drawn carriage), one of the earliest modes of transportation in the Philippines, has since become a Filipino cultural heritage and tourist attraction in some parts of the country. Kalesa drivers (kutseros) may be subject to pain at work as they are exposed to awkward postures and long work hours. This research serves as a preliminary study to assess the suitability of kalesas for the kutseros. Eighteen kutseros in Intramuros, Manila were asked to participate in the study. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to determine pain perceived by each kutsero. In addition, Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) was conducted to evaluate their work postures and identify the level of work-related musculoskelated disorder (WMSD) risk the kutseros are exposed to. Furthermore, relevant kalesa measurements were obtained and compared against the standards. NMQ results showed that hand and back pains were prevalent among the kutseros, while REBA scores indicated medium to high risks of WMSD. Results also showed that measurements of the kalesa steps and seats were unsuitable for the kutseros. Improvements based on ergonomic standards were suggested to reduce REBA scores, that can consequently reduce discomfort among the kutseros.