Ergonomic Evaluation of Tasks Performed by Workers in Manual Brick Kilns in Karnataka, India

Brick industry in India is the second largest brick producer in the world after China. The industry is one of the largest employment generating industries employing millions of people. The present study focuses on the brick industries located in North Karnataka, India, where about 1500 brick kilns are operating employing thousands of workers. The main aim of this study is to investigate the self reported Workrelated Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD) experienced by the workers during the raw brick making activities and to analyze the causes of discomfort related to various postures adopted by the workers. Sixty workers from 6 raw brick making units were randomly selected and a detailed work related musculoskeletal pain/discomfort were analyzed in different activities using the revised Nordic Questionnaire. All the selected workers had given their responses, which were analyzed. Majority of the respondents were feeling pain and discomfort in different body parts. It was also observed that the workers worked continuously in awkward postures during certain raw brick making activities. Consequently they may suffer from discomfort in different parts of the body. Postural analysis using RULA and REBA methods indicate that different parts of the body are vulnerable to injury and musculoskeletal disorders and require immediate ergonomics intervention.