Study on Occupational Health Risks among Workers of Flour Mills
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Date
2021
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
Flour 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.
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Citation
Sati, Kirtika (2021). Study on Occupational Health Risks among Workers of Flour Mills (Unpublished M.Sc. thesis). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.