Ergonomic risk assessment among artisanal cookware manufacturers

Abstract

Background: The variations presented in the way the informal workers conduct activities present different exposure patterns for each individual trader with large day-to-day variation in activity. Ergonomic risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders among artisanal cookware manufacturing have not yet been assessed.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the ergonomic risk levels, and identify ergonomic factors related to musculoskeletal disorders among artisanal cookware manufacturers in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Methods: Eighteen artisanal cookware manufacturers were recruited from five manufacturing sites in Giyani (Limpopo) and Durban (KwaZulu-Natal) during the months of June and July 2019. Direct observation of the workers was conducted using an ergonomic risk assessment observational tool. Rapid Upper Limp Assessment (RULA) method was used to assess the ergonomic risk factors related to cookware manufacturing. For each task, a score was allocated based on the posture, muscle use and force as per the RULA tool. Results: Ergonomic factors related to musculoskeletal disorders included repetitive motion, extending arms, bending and twisting, long static body posture, contact stress, temperature, noise, vibration, and improper lighting. RULA final scores ranged in magnitude from 4 to 7, with each successive score representing an increased presence of risk factors. The results of this study showed that the artisanal cookware manufacturers had an average final RULA grand score of 7.0, and were only at action level 4 which indicated immediate investigation and work changes.Conclusion: The use of RULA in this study showed that most of the informal workers were exposed to the high ergonomics risk for musculoskeletal disorders. RULA proved to be an effective and reliable method for identifying ergonomic factors related to musculoskeletal disorders among informal workers.