An analysis of physiological problems due to unnatural postures adopted by rice mill workers

Abstract

The present study encompasses a physiological problem faced by common rice workers. The study is exploratory in nature and the primary objective is to determine the magnitude of physiological strain of the workers in the actual situation of work. Therefore, we can say that this study has undertaken to evaluate the food grain handling workers with respect to their work load, energy expenditure and musculoskeletal pain discomfort resulting out of work practice. The subjective assessment of respondents showed that mild to moderate pain was experienced by rice mill workers in upper and lower extremities. The results also revealed that selected respondents adopting standing, forward bending (half bending), complete bending posture and frequency of postural change varied from approx. 2 to 8 times (standing), 6 to 12 (forward bending) and 7 to 11 times complete bending for almost all activities performed by workers in rice mill.