Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common work-related problems. Cashew nut factory workers have various works like cutting, peeling, grading, packing, and boiling where participants are more prone for the musculoskeletal disorders, which include repetition, contact stress, forceful contraction, awkward and sustained postures [1].

Aim: Formulation and implementation of participatory ergonomic program in order to prevent incidence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD) among cashew nut factory workers and to determine the effectiveness and benefits of the program in prevention of WRMSDs.

Study Type: Experimental study (Pre-post intervention study).

Material and Methods: 160 subjects were screened in different cashew nut factories in the taluka for WRMSD on the basis of Work Analysis Questionnaire (WAQ). Out of the 160 subjects screened, 58 were selected on the basis of inclusion criteria and using Nordic pain chart further structured interview was done. Pre intervention NPRS was taken. Intervention was given for 3 months and again the follow up was taken.

Results: Using paired ’t’ test it was seen that the mean value was 1.22 ± .795 (SD) and the significance value was (p < 0.001) which shows that there was a significant reduction in the pain intensity (NPRS) of the 58 subjects to whom the intervention was provided.

Conclusion: Participatory Ergonomics (PE) is beneficial in reducing the risk as well as work related musculoskeletal disorders and their pain. As PE is a low-cost program, it can be used in a very effective way to reduce the number of sick leaves and it also helps in increasing the work productivity of the workers.

Keywords: Participatory Ergonomics; Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorder; Numeric Pain Rating Scale; Work Analysis Questionnaire

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Citation

Citation: Ruchita H Narsia and Joseph Oliver Raj. “Participatory Ergonomics: Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Cashew Nut Factory Workers in Karkala Taluka".Acta Scientific Orthopaedics 3.6 (2020): 36-40.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2020 Ruchita H Narsia and Joseph Oliver Raj. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.