EVALUATION OF WORK RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER AND POSTURAL STRESS AMONG FEMALE CULTIVATORS ENGAGED IN POST HARVESTING TASKS

Abstract

In rice cultivation, post-harvesting tasks are essential for the preparation of rice. Mainly females are engaged in post harvesting tasks and they perform a sequential work through manual efforts. The present study was aimed to evaluate musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) and postural stress of workers during performing two post-harvesting tasks. The study was conducted on 70 adult female subjects. The MSDs were assessed by modified Nordic questionnaire method. Posture analysis was made by video graphic technique. Center of gravity (CG) and spinal curvature and of the workers were measured in normal erect posture and in different working postures. The results showed that the prevalence of MSDs was very high among the workers and the most affected area were back, wrist, shoulder, calf and knee etc. The incidence of MSDs was comparatively higher in threshing task than that of the parboiling task. The subjects had to adopt different stressful postures during performing post-harvesting tasks. The CG and spinal curvature in working posture were significantly deviated from neutral posture. The awkward work posture might be related to the MSD of the workers. From this study it has been recommended that workers should avoid bad work postures as far as possible during their work for reducing job related health hazards.