RISK FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AND DISCOMFORT AMONG FARM WOMEN-CASE STUDIES

SURABHI SINGH¹*, SANTOSH AHLAWAT², SARITA SANWAL³, ALOK GORA⁴, M.K. CHAUDHARY^5
1Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, 385506, India
²Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, 385506, India
³Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, 385506, India
⁴Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, 385506, India
⁵Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, 385506, India
* Corresponding Author : surabhikshaunik@gmail.com

Received : 01-02-2017     Accepted : 16-02-2017     Published : 28-02-2017
Volume : 9     Issue : 10       Pages : 3980 - 3983
Int J Agr Sci 9.10 (2017):3980-3983

Keywords : RULA, Discomfort Scale, Farm Women, Body Posture
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : The work was funded by Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna
Author Contribution : Authors helped in data collection, analysis and paper drafting.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) has been reported as major health problem amongst a large number of working population. As women are involved in many agricultural and allied activities, it leads to many health hazards mainly musculoskeletal disorders such sprain, strain, low back pain, pain in lower and upper extremities etc. Researchers need to focus on assessing risk for musculoskeletal disorders among farm women and recommend ergonomic interventions to improve their body posture and job design. This paper presents RULA case studies of farm women and reports their discomfort level while performing different agricultural and allied activities. It was found that none of the farm woman was working in an acceptable posture and it required changes. In exploring their discomfort level, lumber and lower limbs were found the most affected body parts due to poor posture and poor job design.