An ergonomic study of work related musculoskeletal disorder risks in Indian Saw Mills

Abstract

the world and India is no exception. MSD risk factors can be an appropriate base for planning and implementing ergonomics intervention programs in the workplace. The present study is focused on identifying the occupational health and safety risks of workers in Indian sawmills. The workers in saw mills are exposed to MSD risks, hard environmental conditions (high temperatures, slippery and uneven ground), heavy works (manual handling of loads, awkward postures, ) and dangerous tools and machineries such as chainsaws, band saw, chippers, etc. . In this study we have considered different logger groups working in saw mills in Karnataka State and analyzed their MSD risk exposure, occupational health hazards and noise exposure. In a developing country like India, where labor is cheap and most of the workers are economic migrants, proper occupational health, hygiene and ergonomic factors are neglected . The workers accept the adverse working conditions as part of the job and mostly work in such work environments. NORDIC musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to analyze areas of pain and their occurrence in the past. Postural analysis using REBA, RULA indicates that the workers are working above the safe limit. The average REBA score observed was 7.5. The hazardous postures and MSD's were also justified by the questionnaires and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) techniques. Moreover the workers were exposed to noise levels above the OSHA's safe limits for prolonged time. These methods indicated that different body parts at specific postures are vulnerable to injury and musculoskeletal disorders and warrant immediate ergonomics intervention