Ergonomic Assessment of Cashew nut Kernel Peeling Activity in Women Workers Using REBA

Abstract

Women are the major work force in cashew nut processing industries in south Maharashtra. Various processes carried out to obtain final edible cashew nut in these industries are, sun drying, roasting, kernel peeling etc. Peeling of outer hard shell called kernel peeling (Shelling) is very time consuming and cumbersome operation and requires labor work force. The women carrying out this activity are at high ergonomic risk which develops musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). This research paper presents an ergonomic assessment of cashew nut kernel peeling activity among 25 women workers using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method. Twenty five women workers were randomly selected for the study from Malvan in District Sindhudurg, Maharashtra. Prolonged and repetitive manual peeling activities can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. The REBA method was applied to evaluate the ergonomic risks associated with cashew nut peeling and to propose potential interventions to improve the working conditions. The study found that the peeling activity poses significant ergonomic challenges and recommends modifications to reduce the risk of work-related injuries among cashew nut peelers. During the survey, it was found that about 85% of the employees were women. Intensity of body pain, postural deviation, joint discomfort and musculoskeletal problems were recorded during survey. Analysis of MSDs reveal that 95% of workers are has low back pain more predominant followed by neck 83% and shoulder pain of about 75%. Further Rapid entire body assessment (REBA) analysis reveals that 25% of the workers are facing sever discomfort in low back pain and 46 % of worker had severed discomfort in neck pain. This study clearly shows that postural behavior in cashew nut processing industries may be the reason for the MSDs in women workers. Thus for human-wellbeing and to sustain human progress, there is urgent need to solve these problems of workers.