International Journal of Pure & Applied Bioscience (IJPAB)
Year : 2017, Volume : 5, Issue : 4
First page : (671) Last page : (682)
Article doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.4046
Ergonomic Evaluation of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Postural Stress among Bell Metal Workers of West Bengal, India
Das Naba Kumar, Hiranmoy Mahata and Dhara Prakash C.*
Ergonomics and Sports Physiology Laboratory Division, Department of Human Physiology with Community Health, Vidyasagar University, Midnapur -721 102 West Bengal, India
*Corresponding Author E-mail: prakashdhara@rediffmail.com
Received: 13.06.2017 | Revised: 22.06.2017 | Accepted: 25.06.2017
ABSTRACT
Bell metal handicraft manufacturing is one of the oldest cottage industries in India. The workers had to adopted different awkward postures while performing different bell metal jobs. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and identify ergonomic risk factors related to pain in the bell metal workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 370 male bell metal workers in rural small scale industries of Bankura and Purulia district, West Bengal, India. Modified Nordic Questionnaire Method and Body Part Discomfort scale were applied to identify MSDs in different body parts. The postural pattern was assessed by direct observation method. The postural stress was analyzed by OWAS, REBA and RULA methods. The results showed that the prevalence of MSDs was very high among the workers and the most affected areas were back and upper extremity. The workers performing smelting and hammering/scraping activities had a significantly higher prevalence of MSD in the different body segments than that of paddle roller. The prevalence of MSDs exhibited variation in the participants having different work experience. Squatting postures was the dominating postures in bell metal jobs. Postural analysis indicated that the workers had to adopt different stressful postures during performing different bell metal jobs. During smelting and hammering/scraping operation the workers were subjected to greater postural stress than that of paddle rolling. Postural stress might be the reason for the occurrence of MSDs. Thus, immediate ergonomic interventions are needed to reduce work stress of the workers by correcting awkward postures.
Key wards: Bell metal worker, MSDs, Work experience, Postural stress.
Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782
Cite this article: Das, N.K., Mahata, H. and Prakash, D.C., Ergonomic Evaluation of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Postural Stress among Bell Metal Workers of West Bengal, India, Int. J. Pure App. Biosci.5(4): 671-682 (2017). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.4046
