Prevalence of work related health problems and ergonomic risk factors among the workers engaged in silver filigree art of Cuttack, Odisha

Abstract

Ergonomic risk factors are prevailed among the workers, especially the workers in the production units leading to work related health problems. This study was conducted on 222 workers engaged in performance of different activities in silver filigree work, exclusively found in Cuttack district, Odisha, India. Flexi curve was used to study the postural deviations at lumbo- sacral and cervical regions. Analyses of postures revealed that the workers used to assume a variety of joint awkward postures while performing different filigree activities due to the demand of work and workstation design. As regards to exertion perceived in performance of various filigree activities, it was found that design making activities was reported as the heaviest activity. Work related musculoskeletal problems like lower back, upper back and finger pain were quite prevalent among the workers. Analysis of data revealed that significant positive relationships existed between age, year of involvement, perceived joint discomfort and work related musculoskeletal problems faced by the works. Hence it can be concluded that there is relationship between the work related musculoskeletal disorders with perceived joint discomforts.