Loading...
Thesis
Browse
6 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Embargo Utilization of time saving devices by working and nonworking women of Ludhiana city(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Ruwndar, Joyhring; Kulvir KaurThe present study aimed to examine the utilization of time-saving devices by working and non-working women of Ludhiana city, with the objectives to study their existing time utilization patterns, possession and extent of use of time-saving devices, knowledge and attitude towards these devices, and recommendations for optimal use of time resources. A total of 160 respondents were selected using a random sampling technique, with an equal distribution of 80 working and 80 non-working women, who were interviewed using a pretested structured questionnaire. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the majority of respondents face significant time constraints due to their personal and professional responsibilities. Working women spent less time on household activities compared to non-working women, but possessed more timesaving devices and used them more frequently. The most common time-saving devices possessed by respondents were kitchen appliances, followed by clothing care devices and cleaning devices. Working women tend to use more electronic devices, such as microwave oven, rice cooker, vacuum cleaners, etc. while non-working women rely more on manually operated devices, such as pressure cooker, gas stove, grater, mortar & pestle, etc. The study also found that working women had more knowledge and a positive attitude towards timesaving devices compared to non-working women. Based on the findings, the study recommends measures to optimize the use of time resources by focusing on activities that consume a lot of time and to minimize the time spent on them, enhancing awareness of timesaving devices, increasing access to them, and promoting their effective utilization with a particular focus on least or never used devices. The study highlights the importance of time management for women and time-saving devices in managing time more effectively and achieving a better work-life balance and emphasizes the need for a supportive environment that fosters the optimal use of time resourcesThesisItem Embargo Ergonomic assessment of occupational risk factors prevalent among workers engaged in gardening(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Martolia, Divya; Gupta, RituGardeners are at risk for work-related injuries because they are subjected to high physical demands at work. The gardeners work attributes more of repetitive tasks with awkward posture for long working hours. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occupational risk faced by the workers engaged in gardening, to evaluate the postural discomfort and physiological parameters for selected gardening activities and to suggest suitable ergonomic interventions to reduce occupational risk. The study was conducted into two phases- field survey and field experiment. For conducting field survey, a total of 150 male workers who were fully engaged in gardening job for the last five years were purposively selected from Ludhiana city. For conducting field experiments, 30 subjects were selected purposively out of total sample of field survey. The data were collected with the help of self constructed interview schedule and low cost objective ergonomic analysis worksheet. Findings revealed that the subjects faced occupational risk while performing various gardening activities because of adopting poor posture and neglecting the importance of wearing protective clothing. Based on the frequency of performance of activities, time spent per day and the awkward posture adopted by them, the three activities (Weeding, Hedge cutting and Potting) were selected for further analysis. Results revealed that the physiological parameters of subjects for selected activities were found to be moderate. For weeding, hedge cutting and potting activity the working heart rate were found to be 108.72 beats per minute, 106.34 beats per minute and 103.52 beats per minute respectively. The energy expenditure of subjects while performing selected activities were found to be 8.56 kJ/min, 8.18 kJ/min and 7.74 kJ/min respectively. Furthermore, the oxygen consumption for selected gardening activities were recorded 0.55 l/min, 0.53 l/min and 0.50 l/min respectively. REBA, OWAS, WERA tools were used to examine the postural discomfort faced by the subjects in existing practice for selected gardening activities, which indicated that subjects working in awkward posture showed high to medium risk to their health. In accordance with the results of field survey and field experiments an intervention was designed and tested (low height stool with adjustable belts and cotton gloves) and adjustable hedge cutter was tested to assess the efficiency while performing gardening activities. Furthermore, the results revealed that working with interventional aid improved the posture of the subjects. Thus, reducing their discomfort in performing gardening activities. Hence, most of the subjects were satisfied and felt comfortable with the introduced intervention.ThesisItem Restricted Impact of on-site sanitation systems on quality of groundwater in rural households of Punjab(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Bharti, Surabhi; Narinderjit KaurThe present study was conducted to investigate the impact of on-site sanitation systems on quality of groundwater in rural households of Punjab. The experiment was undertaken during 2019 in two parts i.e., field survey and field experiment, in three zones of Punjab on the basis of depth of underground water. For conducting the field survey, a total of 150 households were selected, comprising 50 households from each district i.e., village Killianwali (District Shri Muktsar Sahib), village Talwandi Khurd (District Ludhiana) and village Rode (District Moga). A well-structured interview schedule was prepared to collect general information regarding socio-cultural characteristics of the respondents and specific information (village profile in terms of on-site sanitation system, water sources, quality), to access the living status of village respondents. From the selected households, water samples were also collected during pre- and post-monsoon periods (year 2019) from the main water sources i.e., government rural water supply taps and privately owned submersible pumps and analyzed for physical, chemical and microbiological properties for assessing the water quality. Among the both monsoon periods, significantly higher EC, TDS, TS, chloride, nitrate, hardness, DO, potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium concentration was observed in samples collected during pre-monsoon compared with post-monsoon period. On the other hand, concentration of BOD and Mn slightly decreased after monsoon. Among the different villages, water samples of Killianwali village collected during both monsoon periods, had significantly higher pH, EC, TDS, TS, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, hardness, potassium, sodium and DO, while the water samples of Rode village had the lowest concentrations and Talwandi Khurd village was in the middle. Almost all the parameters of water samples of Killianwali village were out of the permissible limit, compared with the samples of other two villages. A highly significant and positive correlation of EC and TDS with water pH, nitrate, sodium, potassium, calcium, and negative with manganese, copper was observed during both monsoon periods. Moreover, BOD and turbidity of samples showed highly significant and positive correlation with temperature, whereas, DO showed negative correlation with temperature during both monsoon periods. On the basis of WQI values, water quality in both Killianwali and Talwandi Khurd villages was poor, but water quality in Rode village was comparatively good. Village Killianwali had highest number of TC positive water samples followed by Rode and Talwandi Khurd during both monsoon periods. The major pathogenic organism detected in bacteriologically contaminated water samples was identified as Campylobacter spp. (73.3% and 81.6%) in comparison to others. Information regarding the effect of quality of ground water on human health by knowing the occurrence of acute and chronic diseases, was also collected by preparing interview schedule. Village Killianwali had the highest number of respondents suffering from food poisoning, hair fall and skin rashes, fever, diarrhea, typhoid and jaundice/other whereas, Rode and Talwandi Khurd villages have the least number of respondents. Killianwali village has reported more health hazards than the other two compared villages. This might be due to less distance between the water source and the sanitation units than is recommended (15 m), which causes microbiological and physical-chemical contamination of ground water. Based on the observations made throughout the study, guidelines related to regular maintenance practices of on-site sanitation system, its construction design, compatibility with the soil type and depth of underground water were also developed based on the observations recorded during the study.ThesisItem Open Access Thermal Efficiency and Quality of Cooked Food: Evaluation of Cookware Materials(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Alakuntla Priyanka; Gupta, RituThe present study entitled “Thermal efficiency and quality of cooked food: Evaluation of cookware materials” was undertaken with an aim to find out the commonly available cookware materials for surface cooking, to study the thermal efficiency of selected cookware materials as well as to assess the extent of microbial and toxic contents in food cooked in selected cookware. The study was conducted in three parts i.e., market survey, household survey and laboratory experiments. Market and household survey was conducted in different locations of Ludhiana city. For laboratory experiments, six commonly used cookware materials namely non-stick, stainless steel, nonstick with ceramic coating, nonstick with granite coating, hard anodized and clay pans were selected and two standardized recipes namely jeera rice and potato with fenugreek leaves vegetable (dry) were selected. The results revealed that hard anodized was best in terms of heat conductivity followed by non-stick with ceramic coating pan; whereas, stainless steel followed by nonstick with ceramic coating pan were best in terms of heat retention. Lowest fuel consumption was observed in stainless steel pan followed by hard anodized and nonstick with ceramic coating pan due to larger diameter. Non-stick with ceramic coating pan followed by non-stick pan were found best in terms of organoleptic evaluation. The heavy metal analysis showed that chromium content in all the selected cookware was higher than permissible limit (0.05-0.20 mg/day) in both the cooked recipes. Nonstick with ceramic coating recorded lowest chromium content i.e. 0.28 and 0.80 mg immediately after cooking and 0.45 and 0.94 mg after one hour of cooking in jeera rice and potatoes with fenugreek leaves vegetable (dry) respectively. Arsenic and cadmium contents were found to be within permissible limits. Nickel and lead were found minimum in nonstick with ceramic coating and clay pan when compared with all other selected cookware materials. No microbial contamination was observed in selected cookware materials.ThesisItem Open Access Study on Occupational Health Risks among Workers of Flour Mills(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Sati, Kirtika; Bal, Sharanbir KaurFlour mills are the epicenter of occupational health hazards linked to poor indoor environmental conditions and activities carried out without regard for safety. Taking into account the extent of difficulties faced by the workers of flour mills the present study entitled “A Study on Occupational Health Risks among Workers of Flour Mills” was undertaken to assess the indoor environment and to examine various risks associated with the activities carried out in flour mills and to develop interventions to manage health risks faced by the workers of flour mills. The study was conducted on a sample of 100 respondents randomly selected from 20 flour mills of Ludhiana city. The physical factors (temperature, light, noise levels, relative humidity and levels of particulate matter 2.5 µg/m3 and 10µg/m3) of indoor environment were assessed using five in one environment meter and air quality monitor. Subjective scales i.e. Postural Discomfort Scale (Corlett and Bishop 1976), Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (Kuorinka et al 1987) and Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (Varghese et al 1994) as well as Objective techniques i.e. OWAS and WERA were used to assess the work related postural discomforts experienced by the respondents. Results revealed that the values of physical factors were not as per the permissible limits, which indicated poor indoor environmental conditions in the selected flour mills. Further, postural analysis showed that for postures like full forward bending, half forward bending and standing with raised hands corrective measures need to be recommended in the near future and for postures like side bending and lifting immediate change is required. Factors contributing to worker health decline were working in filthy conditions without using any personal protective equipment leading to respiratory issues whereas injuries like dislocations, slips, cuts, falls were also reported due to carrying heavy load on slippery floor and due to unguarded machines. Remedial measures in the form of booklet were suggested for better workplace environment, reducing the musculoskeletal problems and injuries among the workers of the flour mills.ThesisItem Open Access Occupational health problems among farm workers engaged in polyhouse activities(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Gupta, Shruti; Harpinder KaurThe present study entitled “Occupational health problems among farm workers engaged in polyhouse activities” was conducted with the objective to analyse various occupational health problems faced by workers engaged in three types of polyhouses Naturally Ventilated Polyhouse (NVPH), Anti- Insect Net Shed House (AINSH) and High Technology Polyhouse (Hi-Tech) activities; and to suggest measures for reducing occupational health problems of farm workers engaged in various polyhouse activities. Study was conducted in two parts i.e. Field survey and Field experiment. For conducting the field survey, forty polyhouses were selected purposively from Ludhiana district. From all the selected polyhouses sixty respondents were randomly selected. A self structured interview schedule was used to assess the workplace and to study the occupational health problems faced by polyhouses workers. Subjective Ergonomic scales like: Postural Discomfort Scale, Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Rating of perceived exertion were used to assess the discomfort level of respondents in polyhouses. A total of twenty subjects from the sample of field survey having the permissible limit of physiological parameters were selected for field experiment. Objective assessment scales like: Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS), Angle of deviation, Grip strength and Pinch strength were analyzed to assess musculoskeletal and postural problems of subjects. Results revealed that respondents working in polyhouses rated that highest musculoskeletal discomfort was felt in shoulder with mean score of 3.25, followed by lower back (Mean score=3.18) and buttock (Mean score=2.37) region. In NVPH and AINSH polyhouses, Harvesting and maintenance of polyhouses, in Hi-tech polyhouses bed making and use of fertilizers activities were the highest risk rating activities by respondents. Postures like full bending, standing for long hours, squatting were the most risky postures adopted by respondents during polyhouse activities. Various measures were suggested in the form of booklet to reduce occupational health problems of the respondents. Two tools i.e. Load Carrying Trolley and Multi Purpose Step Trolley were developed and tested on the basis of feasibility and acceptability scores to know their acceptability which shows that acceptability level for Load Carrying Trolley and Multi Purpose Step Trolley was high in term of musculoskeletal factor and tool factor.
