Title: Analysis of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic posture assessment of welders in unorganised sector: a study in Jalandhar, India

Authors: Manish Dev; Arvind Bhardwaj; Sarbjit Singh

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab, 144011, India ' Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab, 144011, India ' Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab, 144011, India

Abstract: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the major risk factors in the life of blue-collar workers. These disorders not only lead to their ill health but cause low productivity too. The current study was undertaken to investigate the risk factors of WMSDs and postural discomfort among welders working in unorganised manufacturing units in Jalandhar, India. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 60 welders working in roadside manufacturing units. Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorder questionnaire was used to investigate the WMSDs during last 12 months. The findings reveal that age, BMI, working hours and work experience have a significant association with WMSDs in some of the cases. Furthermore, rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) and rapid entire body assessment (REBA) scores reveal that the population of welders is at more risk of developing WMSDs and working postures of welders are required to be changed immediately to reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders.

Keywords: WMSDs; work-related musculoskeletal disorders; posture; welders; RULA; rapid upper limb assessment; REBA; rapid entire body assessment; unorganised sector.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2018.095913

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2018 Vol.5 No.3, pp.240 - 255

Received: 27 May 2017
Accepted: 06 Mar 2018
Published online: 26 Oct 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article