Work related health hazards faced by female workers involved in seeds grading and roasting activities of Makhana processing

Abstract

Work related health hazards in Makhana processing activities, pose significant risks to makhana processing female workers well-beings. Most of the work in the Makhana processing are performed manually using traditional hand tools. The hand tools lack ergonomic design, causing excessive strain on female workers and leading to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) throughout their bodies. For identifying and analysing the work-related health hazards faced by female workers involved in Makhana processing activities was studied. Data shows that a majority of the respondents (76%) fell within the normal BMI range (18.5-25 kg/m²). This was followed by 10% who were classified as underweight (16-18.5 kg/m²) and 8% categorized as overweight (25-35 kg/m²), while only a small proportion (4%) were severely underweight. The mean BMI of the respondents was 21.89 kg/m². In work related health hazards, the 84% of respondents experienced Blister of palm skin, 80 % Numbness of muscle reported, and 76% had tingling sensations in the fingers in seeds grading activities. In the roasting activities, 79% of respondents experienced redness of eyes, 78 % swelling in the joints and 77% had numbness of muscle were recorded. Perceived exertion 78% and 62% of workers considered seeds grading and roasting activity to be heavy and very heavy, while 38% and 28% perceived it as heavy, and 6% found it to be moderately heavy. In Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) assessment overall mean score of 10.8 and 12 under the seeds grading and roasting activities in makhana processing. These findings highlight the need for better ergonomic tools and practices in agriculture.