Ergonomic Evaluation of Workload of Food-grain Handlers

摘要

A large number of workers are engaged in food grain storage depots, and they carry out different types of jobs such as manual handling and carrying of loaded sacks, cleaning operations, spraying of pesticide, administrative work, etc. The objectives of the study were to assess the workload of the workers, identify their awkward work postures and evaluate feelings of pain and discomfort in 232 storage depot workers (144 handling labourers, 44 ancillary workers, and 44 administrative workers). Workload was assessed subjectively on a scale of 1 (light) to 5 (extremely heavy). Peak heart rates of handling labourers were recorded and energy expenditure calculated. The work postures were noted by observation and photography. Reported pain and discomfort in different body parts were noted. In the case of the handling labourers subjective assessment showed of workload ('heavy' - 46% or 'very heavy' - 41%) correlated well with mean peak heart rate (124.9 +- 13.3 b.min~(-1) categorised as 'heavy') and energy expenditure (2.81 to 5.69 kcal. min~(-1) indicating 'moderate' to 'heavy' workload). Reported pain and discomfort was 60%. Both ancillary and administrative workers reported their workload as 'moderate' or 'heavy'. In all the groups, the most affected body part was back followed by leg. Optimisation of work practices and rationalisation of work-rest schedule are some of the methods by which health and safety of the workers could be improved.