Ergonomic Analysis of Musculoskeletal Issues in Indian Footwear Factory Workers

Objectives The musculoskeletal problems have become a major issue to many industries in our country. The footwear industry is an emerging and hazardous industry, making it important for ergonomic aspects to be implemented on site. Ergonomic studies in industrial workers were many but there are little literatures regarding the physical issues of the footwear factory workers. Therefore, a need was felt for ergonomic study to take up the issues of small- scale labour-intensive footwear industry Methodology 250 subjects, were assessed using the following questionnaires. RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) Nordic questionnaire Visual Analogue Scale Results Our study showed that 88 % of the subjects suffered from at least one work-related musculoskeletal pain in relation to the type of work. It was investigated factory workers reported discomfort in different parts of their body. But neck, elbow, back and knees were found major areas of discomfort. Musculoskeletal discomfort was measured on VAS scale. Intensity of pain were mostly varies between 2 to 5 but most of them have pain in range of 4 to 5. On the analysis of risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders by workers with the help of RULA scale, it was found that 32 % of the workers were on the high risk with RULA score of 6 and above where as 44 % were on medium risk with RULA score of 5 to 6 of musculoskeletal disorders Conclusion The workers were at high risk of developing musculoskeletal problems. Our study highlighted that workers were doing their work in faulty body postures, they were using their joints in above normal range which could increase the risk of musculoskeletal problems in them