Ergonomic evaluation of strenuous household activity performed by rural women
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Date
2005
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CCSHAU
Abstract
The present study “Ergonomic evaluation of strenuous household activity on
rural women” was conducted in three villages of Hisar district. A total of 120
respondents were selected (40 from each village) randomly for studying their work
pattern in household, dairy and farm activities. Of all the household activities, one
strenuous activity was selected on the basis of various parameters like time spent,
perceived exertion and liked/disliked activity by the respondents. Out of 120
respondents, 30 respondents were selected purposively for evaluation of ergonomic
parameters in selected activity. On the basis of results, an improved tool was developed
to reduce the drudgery of homemaker in selected activity and ergonomic parameters
were again studied to know its suitability. The survey revealed that majority of the
respondents were between the age group of 20-40 years of age, illiterate, having family
size between 4-6 members belonging to nuclear type family with cultivation as family
occupation. Regarding household activities on an average maximum time was spent on
plastering of floor (44.8 min) and perceived exertion was maximum for making chapati
(3.8). Under dairy activities time spent was observed to be maximum for bathing the
animals (84.9 min). Most disliked activity was cleaning the shed. Drudgery index was
found to be maximum for chapati making (86.7%) and hence this activity was selected
for ergonomic evaluation
Respondents selected for ergonomic evaluation were having mean age of 32.1
years with a mean body weight of 158.2 cm. Maximum number of respondents fall
under category of normal body mass index (53.0%) and more than half of the
respondents (57.0%) were having mesomorph body type. Physical workload of women
for chapati making was graded as moderately heavy whereas, improved method made
the activity as light. Angle of deviation was maximum for cervical region i.e. 30 but with
the use of improved method it was reduced from 1.6 per cent to 0.05 per cent in cervical
region. Very severe to severe pain was reported by the respondents in low back, calf
muscles and upper leg. Improved method resulted reduction in almost all the body
parts. Hence improved method played a important role in reducing the drudgery of
women in chapati making.