Postural Evaluation of Notching Action in WAG7 Railway Goods-Locos (Indicates Correction Necessities)

Abstract

Electric loco pilots of Indian Railways are high-risk group for musculoskeletal disorders, facing de-categorisation and low retirement age. Their working environment needs be considered as a stress factor affecting their health status. About 31 male electric loco pilots of Indian Railways were considered as sample and have been evaluated by using RULA. In this study, the driving posture of the electric loco pilots is observed, and focus is given on the most frequently adopted posture, like notching for accelerating and decelerating the train. For notching, a hand wheel is moved by producing a jerk by wrist movement. This postural information was collected in situ in running trains. All other information is gathered by using modified standardised Nordic questionnaires. Only WAG7 old variant electric locomotives were considered for this study. The mean age of the loco pilots is 41.1. The final RULA score mode at rank 4 indicates a little bit higher overall loading on the body segment and the job is somewhat strenuous. The statistics also shows the distribution is skewed to the right.