WORK RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG WOMEN WORKERS IN PACKING UNITS OF PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY: GUIDELINES FOR ERGONOMIC INTERVENTIONS
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Date
2013
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ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
Abstract
Hyderabad has emerged as a major drug manufacturing city with a presence in the
global market. In pharmaceutical industry mostly women are engaged for sedentary and
repetitive manual work. Though the process of manufacturing is mechanized, the process of
packing is still undertaken manually. The majority of packing activities are characterized by a
sitting posture, worker’s head and trunk flexed forward and shoulders flexed and abducted. In
this posture high rate of work related musculoskeletal disorders occurrence could be
expected. Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are a group of painful disorders
of muscles, tendons and nerves.
Musculoskeletal disorders being one of the serious occupational health hazard
effecting the health of women in particular needs to be focused as women are the key factors
in the vey basic unit of the society, the family. Comparatively prevalence of musculoskeletal
disorders among workers in industries of organized sector especially in women was found
less explored. Government and organizations involved in Occupational Health and Research
and the educational institutes working in the area of women health should focus on exploring
the reasons for musculoskeletal disorders and develop ergonomic interventions to prevent
WMSD.
The present investigation was aimed to explore the variables that contribute towards
developing WMSD among women involved in packing activities in pharmaceutical industry
and develop guidelines for ergonomic interventions to control and prevent WMSD. Ex post
facto research design was adopted. A sample of 270 women, satisfying the selection criteria
viz. age above 30 years, a minimum 3 years of wok experience were selected using simple
random sampling technique from 9 pharmaceutical industries.
The dependent variable Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) was
measured in terms of musculoskeletal symptoms, musculoskeletal disorders and loss of
physical functioning. The independent variables selected for the investigation were
categorized as personal variables and organizational variables. Personal variables of the study
consisted of age, education, length of service, anthropometry, level of exposure to risk factors
associated with upper limb disorders, body mass index, physical fitness, mental work load
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and work stress. The organizational variables consisted of work place layout, physical work
environment and organizational support.
To quantify the study variables the measuring instruments were developed. A scale
was constructed to measure prevalence of the musculoskeletal symptoms, musculoskeletal
disorders and loss of physical functioning. Mental work load assessment scale, work stress
scale, workplace lay out scale and physical work environment scale were developed in the
present research. Organizational support scale developed by Telaprolu and George, 1998 was
used to measure the extent of social support. Risk factors associated with upper limb
disorders were measured using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) technique. The data
was collected through structured interview schedule.
Statistical analysis of the data was done through frequencies and percentages. Product
moment correlation was computed to understand the association between the dependent and
independent variables of the study. Analysis of variance was computed and when significant
‘F’ values were found, t-tests were carried out. Step wise regression test was applied to assess
the order in the influence of independent variables on each of the dependent variable.
The age of the sample showed significant positive correlation with WMSD. The
women with less number of years of work experience were frequently experiencing
musculoskeletal symptoms. The sample with low height and short upper limb length were
experiencing WMSD. As weight and body mass index increased the WMSD were found to
be increased. Respondents with low and high average physical fitness were suffering from
WMSD. As mental work load and work stress increased the WMSD among them increased.
The organizational variables were found to be non contributing factors in developing WMSD.
The deviation of anatomical body parts from neutral position contributed to the WMSD in
neck, shoulder, upper limb, back, lower limb and over all body. Awkward body postures like
twisting, bending, reaching and gripping were found to be risk factors in causing WMSD.
Through step wise regression the neck position and trunk position were found to be major
contributing factors for developing WMSD among the workers. Musculoskeletal symptoms
in respondents were found to be leading to musculoskeletal disorders and functional
limitations in anatomical body regions of the subjects.
To control and prevent the identified risk factors causing WMSD among women
working in packing units of pharmaceutical industry, the guidelines for ergonomic
interventions were proposed in terms of engineering, administrative and personal or
behavioral controls. It was advised to provide adjustable chairs with lumbar support for aged
women and to allow them to work on self- pacing to reduce muscle strain among aged
women. Provision of adjustable work table, fixing of sliding racks below the table to rest the
upper limbs were suggested for women with short stature. The low physical fitness group was
advised to increase physical fitness through regular exercises, yoga and nutritious food. To
overcome the disadvantage of awkward postures in upper arm, lower arm, wrist, wrist twist,
neck, trunk, legs, and body posture the ergonomic interventions like job rotation, job
enlargement, provision of arm rests, foot rests, training and education in good ergonomic
practices were suggested. It was proposed to reduce mental work load by ensuring
reasonable work loads and deadlines in an organized way with out pressure in the last
moment. To control work stress it was advised to reduce monotonous work and encouraging
team work.
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Keywords
manpower, biological phenomena, meat, economic systems, research methods, sampling, humus, environment, demand, marketing