An
Anthropological study on Ergonomics and Cardiorespiratory Health profile of
Female Carpet Workers of India
* Ajeet Jaiswal
*Dr. Ajeet Jaiswal, Assistant Professor, Department of
Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India. Email: rpgajeet@gmail.com, Phone no. :
09791201427, 08122594335.
Abstract:
The observational crosssectional study conducted on
a sample of 100 women working in carpet industry of Uttar Pradesh, outlines their
cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal profile before, during and at end of
work. Contrary to expectation, there was no significant change in respiratory
function. However, the musculoskeletal problems were found to be abundantly
present with pain in 91% of the subjects. Regionwise mapping of pain revealed
that postural pain in low back was present. Scapular muscles on the right side
were involved in stabilizing shoulder, which never went overhead. On the
contrary, left shoulder was raised as high (>90 degrees) in spinning action,
while pulling thread. This muscle work involved trapezius, deltoid and triceps
action concentrically in lifting and while coming to starting position slowly,
eccentrically. Though the overall job was light as per peak HR, there was pain
due to fatigue and grip strength weakened by around 10%, at the end of the
day's work. In conclusion, pain and fatigue were found to be the main problems
for women in the spinning section of the small scale industry under this study.
Women have to take up dual responsibility of a fulltime job as well as the
domestic work. It was considered that ergonomic factors such as provision of a
backrest and frequent rest periods could remediate the musculoskeletal symptoms.
Key words: Women workers, Carpet industry,
Cardiorespiratory, Musculoskeletal
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