An Investigation into Work Postures of Workers Engaged in Casting Industry: A Study in India

Abstract

Casting industry in India is appreciably providing employment to more than 5 million people. These are various jobs which may cause musculoskeletal disorders among the working generation. Awkward posture, lifting, forceful movements and manual work at rapid rate contribute to musculoskeletal disorders. Present study is focused on assessing the work posture of workers engaged in different actives of casting units. A video film was recorded in real postures during the various actives performed by the workers. Snaps were cropped after an interval of 10second for each of the activity. The work postures were evaluated using OWAS, RULA and REBA tools. As per the OWAS assessment, 17% workers required immediately corrective measures and 46% workers needed to correct their postures as soon as possible. In RULA assessment reveals that workers at high and medium risk levels were 64% and 22% respectively. In REBA assessment 27% workers were at very high, 34% workers were high and 32% workers were at medium risk levels. This paper is restricted to only posture analysis on observation based, however application of ergonomics posture could was suggested to the workers. Awkward postures and manual material handing in the workplace should be eliminated. These industries must adopt ergonomics techniques and low cost automation so that workload can be reduced and efficiency can be increased to affect the organizational cost and the society as a whole.