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Open Access
Occupational health hazards among bamboo handicraft workers: a study in Samastipur district of Bihar
(G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, 2022-10) Ankita Renu; Sandhya Rani
Among the various categories of unorganized sector, there exists a class of craftsman who specializes in bamboo handicraft making. Bamboo handicraft is the traditional craft using bamboo as raw material. A range of items can be handcrafted from bamboo, often needing few or basic tools. The making of bamboo handicrafts is a crucial activity which involves several labour intensive processes like in any other employment sector, workers involved in craft making process goes through an equal higher risk of being injured as a type of work they do. The work process of making bamboo handicraft involved tedious activities in different stages; it starts from the stage of cutting and lifting of bamboo logs to handicrafts making stage. They work without taking care of their health and without any safety measure. They suffer from many problems related to occupation, health and safety. The present study was taken up, in order to assess the occupational health hazards of rural bamboo handicraft workers and to gather some information about their perceived health needs in six rural communes of Pusa Block of Samastipur District of Bihar, India. A descriptive research with the sample size of 120 rural bamboo handicraft workers selected through simple random sampling was planned. The data was collected through personal interview technique. The findings of the study revealed that a major fraction of the population was in the age group of 34-41 years old with mean age 39.083. Literacy was found to be low in the study population. Monthly family income from bamboo handicraft work was found of Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 15,000 with mean income of 9843.33. Bamboo handicrafts were mainly produced by workers engaged in semiskilled work with more than 15 years of experience. Most of workers reported that they work for 6 to 10 hours per day frequency of twice a day. More of them carried load between 10-15kg with erect standing mostly on their head. Most common health problem among worker were found cold, cough, fever, fatigue, headache, muscles tightness and work related stress. The most commonly affected regions among the workers are shoulders, one or both anklets/feet, one or both hips/thighs and both knees in last 12 months. At baseline, symptoms severe enough to reduce activities during work were most common in the shoulders, one or both anklets/feet, one or both hips/thighs and both knees. Based on the results of hazards and risk identification checklist, 17 potential hazards are identified from all stages of the bamboo handicraft making process, and 15 health and safety risks are identified from all potential hazards. These risks must be prioritized for control, originating from the potential hazards of ergonomics and chemicals. For this, recommendations on risk control were suggested to reduce these risks and hazards at workplace ad to improve their work. A significant relationship was found between age and work experience (p<0.01) and a significant association was found in the hazards/risks and work process of making bamboo handicrafts (p<0.01).
Open Access
Ergonomics assessment of risk factors among farm workers in vegetable production system
(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-08) Pundhir, Kamna; Singh, Divya
India is the second-largest vegetable-producing country. Vegetable-producing operations are extremely labor intensive; throughout the activities, farm workers often adopt various postures such as bending, twisting, semi-bending, standing and sitting. which are directly associated with drudgery and occupational health problems. The present study was designed with the following objectives: to study the demographic and activity profile of farm workers engaged in a vegetable production system, postural analysis of farm workers involved in a vegetable production system, to identify the work-related health hazards experienced by the farmworkers during different types of work activity and to suggest the importance of correct postural techniques of doing work. The aim of integrating ergonomics with farm workers involved in the vegetable production system is to solve the issues and to increase worker productivity and efficiency. The present study was carried out in the Vegetable Research Center, Pantnagar which is situated in the premises of GBPUAT, Pantnagar at Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand. The cent percent population (i.e., 100 percent) of respondents were selected for descriptive and subjective data on different activities from land preparation to harvesting of vegetable production system. The three crops were selected for the study i.e., tomato (Solanaceae family), broccoli (Brassicaceae family), and garlic (Amaryllidaceae family) vegetable production system. The descriptive and subjective data was collected with the help of an interview schedule and Body Part Discomfort (BPD) scale. ERGO Fellow software (version 2.0) were used to analysed data of RULA, REBA, and OWAS method to identify the postural discomfort among the farm workers those who were involved in vegetable production system. Whereas SPSS (version 26.0) software was used for analysis of statistical data correlation, and multiple linear regression at 5 percent level of significance (2-tailed test). The results revealed that majority of farm workers experienced very severe discomfort during harvesting, transplanting and weeding operations in vegetable production system. Postural discomfort was found to be more during land preparation, nursery preparation and transplanting operations as farm workers adopted squatting and bending postures with the repetitive movement of the hands. The result of RULA method showed that the majority of respondents were found to be from category third, which indicates that further investigation and changes are required soon whereas in REBA method respondents were found from fourth category, which indicate high risk and implement change in their working posture during land preparation, nursery preparation, sowing, transplanting, irrigation and harvesting operations of vegetable production system. Long working hours, uncomfortable body postures, repeated effort and physical stress all contribute to musculoskeletal discomforts in the vegetable-producing system. To create awareness among the respondents’ various aids were prepared such as chart, poster, short film and pamphlet to impart knowledge regarding correct postural techniques during their working hours in vegetable production system which will help farm workers to reduce drudgery and provide an appropriate working environment.
Open Access
Comparative study on the effect of papaya, banana and pointed gourd fruit on growth and reproductive profile of Amur Common Carp
(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-06) Tomar, Pallavi Singh; Ram, R.N.
The present study was carried out to compare the effect of papaya ,banana and pointed gourd fruit on growth and reproductive profile of amur common carp for period of 180 days .A total of 168 fishes of average weight of 135g divided into four groups of 42 fishes each viz. Group C1 (Control), Group T1(2%Banana fruit),Group T2(2%Pointed gourd fruit),Group T3(2%Papaya fruit).A total of 48 fishes stocked in 3 tanks with 14 fishes per tank. After one week of acclimatization period, banana, papaya and pointed gourd was given in pellet form twice a day at the rate of 2% each in a divided dose at a rate of 5% of the fish's total body weight till 180 days post group (DPT) to groups T1,T2 and T3.In this study Growth and reproductive profile histological parameters studied at different interval i.e.,0ͭʰ,30ͭʰ,60ͭʰ,90ͭʰ,120ͭʰ,150ͭʰ,180ͭʰ DPT. The best results for growth parameters like mean weight gain (318±1.15g),mean length gain (37±.57cm),lenght weight relationship (174±3.88) Since the value of regression coefficient (b) is less than 3 over the course of the entire experiment for each group at each time interval, growth is allometric, condition factor (1.82±.03), specific growth rate (0.2±.004%)and for morphometric study of ganoad and liver the best reault for gonadosomatic index of male(9.89±.42%) and hepatosomatic index in females and males (3.7±.07% and 0.8±.04% )respectively were recorded in group T1 in comparison with the group C1 (control) .According to the findings of this study, groups fed with banana @2% (T1) produced superior results than their counterparts. The findings show that all three fruits had no negative impact on the physicochemical qualities of water, allowing the fish to be less stressed and perform better physiologically. Histologically, there were no notable alterations in the liver, muscle, ovary, or testis of the Control group C1. The liver parenchyma showed considerable vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes at all time intervals in the T1, T2, and T3 groups. Despite the fact that group T3 on the 30ͭʰ, DPT indicated fragmentation in many muscular fiber bundles, muscle fiber loss also occurred, resulting in the creation of space. A considerable reduction in the size of the muscle fiber bundle was seen on the 60th DPT. On the 120ͭʰ, DPT, the muscle fiber bundle had severe fragmentation and necrosis. A significant hemorrhage was observed in T3 group on the 60th DPT in ovary. In testis no significant changes were observed in any of the groups, T1, T2, or T3, at any time interval between the 0th and 180ͭʰ DPT. As a result, it is suggested that the efficacy of banana as a growth enhancer be investigated as a cost-effective, readily available, and environmentally friendly package for enhancing aquaculture productivity.
Open Access
An analytical study of domestic e-waste management and disposal methods of Gadag district of Karnataka state
(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2021-08) Kumbar, Aishwarya B.; Vats, Aditi
Non-functional earphones, headphones, old discarded TV, unused radio, lot of nonoperated cable, damaged and broken mobile chargers, TV remotes, useless parts of electronics etc. are completely stored or occupied in every common man's house. With or without sufficient knowledge, opportunities and facilities making this type of scenario even worse. The e-waste means electrical and electronic equipment, whole or in part discarded as waste by consumer or bulk consumer as well as rejects from manufacturing, refurbishment and repair process (MoEF).The deposition of e waste increasing rapidly day by day and so as the household or domestic e-waste nowhere in calculation. The improper disposal of e-waste leads to deadly situations to both human health and environment. So there is need for awareness programmes and facilities to dispose electrical and electronic equipment in a proper manner. If the proper disposal of electrical and electronic equipment happened at a grass root level i.e. household level, half of the problems of e-waste is solved. A descriptive cum experimental research followed for this study. A total of 120 respondents were selected randomly from five different wards i.e. ward number 1, 22, 29, 34 and 35 which are randomly chosen from Gadag city of Gadag district, Karnataka state. The pre-coded interview schedule knowledge tool and awareness scale were used to collect information required for this study. The collected data was tabulated and analysed with the help of a descriptive and statistical analyses (frequency, percentage, Chi square test and fisher's exact test). From the study it was found that all the respondents disposed e waste with the municipal waste that is solid waste. The knowledge of respondents was appreciable but the awareness yet to be accomplished towards e-waste. The respondents were aware about the effects of risk of hazardous materials on human health and environment that are present in e-waste. An experimental research revealed that e-waste can also be used to make accessories and bricks, that could enhance the possibility of collecting of household or domestic e-waste in view to make certain objects. Through proper guidelines, awareness and with complete cooperation from government, the events can be properly managed and can be converted into an income generating activity.
Open Access
A study on musculoskeletal disorders of stone masonry workers in high hills of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand
(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2021-02) Arya, Neha; Sharma, Promila
Stone masonry work is one of the main economic activity after agriculture at hilly areas, it supply the bulk of varying aggregates to the construction industry within the region and beyond. Stones are widely used building material for commercial as well as for residential purpose. It includes construction of residential units buildings, roads, walls, bridges and so on. Therefore workers who are involved in stone masonry work performed various activities like extraction, breaking, loading and unloading, crushing, shaping and layering of the stones are at the state of high risk of occupational hazards. All above stated activities are very injurious to their health. Therefore the present study was purposively conducted in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand in Nainital district under Dhari block. From Dhari block 5 villages were purposively selected (Paharpani, Manjuli, Meladob, Johnpokhra, Sheelalekh). A total of 120 stone masonry workers were randomly selected from these respective village. The results revealed that while performing these activities/ operations, by manually they were suffering from physical, ergonomic, biological, environmental, psychosocial and respiratory hazards and they totally ignoring this due to zero job option. Accident, injuries, and musculoskeletal discomfort were most common among them. Along with that material handling was also done manually by workers in hilly areas. They used to carry heavy loads on their head (67%) shoulder (16.32%),hand (4%) without using any load carrying device or vehicle due to ignorance. Majority 88.33 percent of the workers felt musculoskeletal discomfort. Majority 95 percent of the workers were adopting awkward posture during task. Maximum 84.16 percent workers were working in forceful motion. Around 39 percent of the workers stated that the tools were poorly designed.53.33 percent of the workers were at risk of physical hazards while lifting, followed by 54.16 percent workers experienced vibration in hands while performing activities like extraction, breaking, crushing and shaping. 83.33 percent of the workers felt fatigue during and after activities. Maximum 84.16 percent of the workers reported that activities they were performing cause pain. High RPE score of 9 was found during breaking activity, whereas the lowest score of 5 was found during shaping and layering activities. Results of REBA 45.33 percent workers were lies under AL4 which interprets high risk level and immediate change was required,33.33 percent workers in AL3 (medium risk and change is required soon), 16 percent of the workers comes under the action level AL5 (very high risk, and required immediate change now). Similarly in case of RULA 48 percent workers were lies under AL7 which interprets high risk level and immediate change was required, 34.66 percent workers in AL5- AL6 (medium risk and change was required soon), 17.33 percent of the workers were fall under the action level AL3 - AL4 (low risk, change may be needed).Results for WERA shows that majority 82.66 percent of the workers involved in various activities were fall under the medium action level that indicating (Task is need to further investigate and required change). The correlation coefficient values shows that musculoskeletal discomfort are dependent on age, work pattern and mode of load and had a significant relationship with these independent variables. A significant relation was found between age and level of musculoskeletal discomfort in various body parts with respect to activities in Chi square test. After analysis all issues in stone masonry work ergonomically sound wooden trolley was designed for workers involved in loading and unloading for eliminating the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among them.
Open Access
Occupational health hazards among the employees engaged in laundry sectors
(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2021-02) Pant, Kanchan; Kwatra, Seema
Laundry has wide-ranged working operations with frequent risks differ both in type and intensity. The laundry workers are often exposed to various conditions leading to chemical biological and ergonomic hazards. These hazardous conditions harm their health and well beings. So, it is necessary to prevent occupational accidents and ill health caused by harmful factors in the workplace. Keeping this in view, the study was designed to understand the actual working conditions prevailing in laundry sector with the following objectives: to assess various tasks involved in laundry i.e. collection of clothes, rinsing, brushing, squeezing, ironing, folding etc., to identify perceptions of respondents' working environment and their working experience, to identify physical demands, perceived discomfort, complexity of task and fatigue during laundry work. Evaluation of physiological cost of work, different occupational health hazards and posture adopted by laundry workers. Besides this, current status of the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) by laundry worker and appropriate preventive measures to mitigate occupational health hazards. Respondents were chosen from two district U. S. Nagar and Nainital of Uttarakhand State. Purposive and random sampling were used for data collection. A total of 120 respondents were taken for the study purpose. Descriptive cum experimental methods were used for data collection. For descriptive method questionnaire, checklist and subjective scales were used. Experimental study included Total Cardiac Cost of Work,VO2 Max, anthropometric data, grip strength and goniometric analysis of posture. Further observational method - RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment), REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment), LUBA (Postural Loading on the Upper Body Assessment), WERA (Working Ergonomic Risk Assessment), Job Strain Index, Rodgers Muscle Fatigue Analysis were also used for the study. Suitable statistical analysis was done. Results revealed that rinsing was found to be most strenuous activity followed by ironing and brushing amongst all the laundry activities. Collection of clothes to and fro to the place of washing was also found to be heavy and tiring. The respondents were facing problems during rinsing because of prolonged bending in conventional method, they also faced problems during ironing as this activity involved a lot of standing. During the collection of clothes, they also faced fatigue. On the whole washing and ironing activities created many negative impacts on laundry workers. Respondents were facing back pain, joints pain, itching and irritation in skin mainly. Environmental conditions and harmful laundry material aggregated this negative impact on the health of the respondents. So for this, some ergonomic solutions were given to laundry workers. Hand washer was suggested for rinsing washed clothes and thus avoiding prolonged bending. This washer will also provide them ease in rinsing activity. An adjustable chair was designed thorough Auto CAD to avoid prolonged standing and joints pain for ironing activity. Trolley was also suggested to reduce extra movements for carrying the clothes by hand or bucket. An awareness training was conducted to impart them knowledge of manual handling of tools, goods working posture, resting time periods during work to help them to avoid risk factors and occupational health hazards.
Open Access
An exploratory study on impact assessment of universal health coverage in Udham Singh Nagar District of Uttarakhand state
(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2020-12) Pandey, Pratibha; Vats, Aditi
Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental need of a country’s citizens and lays the foundation for sustainable and equitable economic development. Over a last few decades, India has made significant progress on the primary healthcare front. A large section of the population still lacks access to these services. The study mainly focuses to attain general information on usage, preferences, and constraints faced by the rural people in accessing the healthcare services and to assess the knowledge level of the respondents with their perception & awareness towards Universal Health Coverage. A descriptive research design was chosen in order to achieve the formulated objectives of the study. The study was conducted in 5 villages ( Anandpur, ,Indarpur, Chukti, Narayanpur, Gukulnagar) of Kichha, Udham Singh Nagar District of Uttarakhand State. The pre coded interview schedule and self-structured knowledge tool, self structured perception scale and self- structured awareness scale was used to gather the required information. 15 % households from each of the selected village were included in the sample. Total 125 respondents were selected using simple random sampling without replacement. It was found that age and income level of the respondents were the significant factors that decide knowledge regarding UHC(Universal Health Coverage). Knowledge level of the respondent has an impact on people’s perception. Knowledge level of the respondents was found to be good. While overall perception towards Universal Health Coverage was good. Respondents had moderate perception level towards Universal Health Care services. They were facing constraints in accessing the healthcare services like unavailability of doctor at Public & Community Health Centres, high expenses of health services, unavailability of funds to spend on healthcare services.
Open Access
Assessment of musculoskeletal disorder among garage workers
(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2020-12) Alka Chandrakanta; Deepa Vinay
The garage workers are highly exposed to heavy manual material handling. Due to heavy manual material handling and repetitive tasks in garage, leads to occupational health hazards among garage workers. The total sample of 75 respondents were selected randomly from three district of Uttrakhand (Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and Almora) who were working in garage. For collection of experimental data, 30 per cent of the total respondents was selected and RULA, REBA and ART tools were used and for descriptive study demographic questionnaire, Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, stress coping strategies questionnaire, work environment questionnaire, updated Modified Kuppuswamy’s Socioeconomic Scale(2020), health status checklist, personal protective equipment checklist, risk assessment and workplace checklist were used. The finding of present research investigation revealed that majority of garage workers were having lower middle socio-economic status. Most workers were suffering from low back, neck and shoulder pain and also having dyspepsia (indigestion) or bowel disturbance problem. As a stress coping strategies, majority of them reported that they consumed tobacco and offer prayers and cent per cent garage workers need of action in adjusting the working height at elbow level, use foot platforms for small workers introduce a work- rotation system to avoid repetition of the same types of work, use hanging tools, label containers of hazardous chemicals and store them inappropriate places. The result of RULA, REBA and ART revealed that almost all the postures adopted by the workers while repairing shows the medium and high level of risk exposure. The environment parameters like light (1693.56±563.64 lux), humidity (58.49±8.84%), temperature (27.65±1.819°C) and noise(61.95±7.50 dB) were within recommended level. The years of employment of garage workers was positively and significantly correlated with muscle pain (R=0.286) and results were obtained by using SPSS software. The sensitizing training program were also organized to add value and efficiency of garage workers.

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