Postural stress of workers involved in handicraft work at industry

Abstract

India is a land of craftsmen of hand and muscle power. Craft traditions have withstood the change in time and still epitomize the Indian industrial culture in the world. Craft sector is the second largest employment sector in India. There are 23 million crafts people in India. Many agricultural and pastoral communities depend on their craft skills as a secondary source of income. The inherent skills in embroidery, weaving, basketry etc. are means to social and economic independence. Textiles are decorated by various techniques, of which embroidery is only one. The city of Lucknow of Uttar Pradesh in India has a prominent place in the history of India particularly for its art, historical monuments and rich cultural heritage. Lucknow is also known around the world over for its many fine handicrafts. Chikankari is considered to be the most popular amongst these and is recognized worldwide. It is a fine art of embroidery made with untwisted yarn with the help of the needle on a fine cloth. Posture is the position of body while performing above work activities. Awkward posture is deviation from ideal working posture of arms at the side of tosses, elbows front, with wrists straight which is adopted by all the workers involved in handicraft work. Hence the present study aim at studying the postural stress of workers and related health problems.