Ergonomic assessment of farm women using apron and pick bag for cotton picking

Abstract

Ergonomics is the scientific study of the relationship between man and his working environment. The ergonomically designed things make the life style better. Women’s contribution to agriculture is seldom recognized in spite of their active role in the agriculture as well as household activities in developed as well as developing world. The selected 30 farm women who were engaged in cotton picking since 5 yrs belonging to age groups of 20 – 50 yrs were selected for the experiment. The present study was conducted in four villages of Parbhani and Beed districts of Marathwada region of Maharashtra State. Comparative evaluation was worked out between cotton picking apron developed by AICRP Family Resource Management, College of Home Science M.K.V. Parbhani and pick bag developed by Family Resource Management, College of Home Science, CCS, H.A.U. Hisar. The heart rate of female workers was more while performing cotton picking activity in pick bag method. The rated perceived exertion was highest in case of pick bag method. Ergonomically physiological workload of cotton picking was at par in case of traditional, pick bag and apron method. It has been concluded that there was reduction in physiological cost of work when cotton picking activity was performed with cotton picking apron. From this study it was concluded that cotton picking is recommended for reduction of drudgery with certain improvements.