Assessment of Ergonomic Risk for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Foundry Workers

Abstract

AbstractWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common safety and health issues throughout the world. The foundry industry is one of the hazardous industries which involve the risk of WMSDs and automation is difficult for small foundries due to high costs. However, existing research acutely lacks the critical focus on the foundry context. The aim of this research is to assess the ergonomic risk involved in the development of WMSDs among the small-scale foundry workers using semi-direct (REBA) and indirect (QEC) methods. The sample of 105 foundry operators representing nine small-scale foundries from Western India is selected as the unit of analysis. Both REBA and QEC scores reveal more than 45% sample population is vulnerable to higher ergonomic risks. The analysis further shows the shoulder and back are susceptible to musculoskeletal disorders. The department-wise study concludes melting department activities involve a high risk of MSDs and requires immediate ergonomic interventions. The findings of the study also highlight no method either semi-direct or indirect are adequate to capture ergonomic risks, but the methods can be simultaneously used to derive more realistic understandings of ergonomic risks.KeywordsWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs)Rapid entire body assessment (REBA)Quick exposer check (QEC)Foundry