Work Posture Assessment in Forging Industry: an Exploratory Study in India

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common health problem throughout the world. Assessment of exposure levels to MSD risk factors can be an appropriate base for planning and implementing interventional ergonomics programs in the workplace. The presents study is focused on posture analysis of the workers working in forging industry. The study was conducted on 130 workers engaged in various process of small scale forging firms of northern India. Video recording on different activities of the workers was done and then images were cropped from it for the analysis. Posture analysis tools RULA, REBA and OWAS were used. The results of REBA showed that about 10.65% of the workers were under very high risk level and needed a necessary action immediately. About 30% of the workers were under high risk levels and about 10% of the workers were at lower risk levels. The study also showed that about 46% of the workers were at medium risk levels and required a necessary action. The results of RULA showed that about 30% of the workers were under high risk levels and required immediate change. About 33-38% of the workers were at lower risk levels and 3233% of the workers were at medium risk levels. According to the OWAS method of analysis, the study showed that 56.15% of the workers were fine and needed no corrective measures. About 23.85% of the workers needed corrective measures in the near future and 19.23% of the workers required corrective measures as soon as possible. Whereas a few worker had a very bad posture and required immediate corrective measures. It was concluded that; there is a lack of ergonomics planning and methods in small scale forging industry. A significant proportion of the workers are working in very bad postures. Thus the workers are under moderate to high risk of Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The study recommended proposed that there is dire need of implementation of ergonomics interventions with proper awareness among workers.