| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2011 | Volume
: 15
| Issue : 3 | Page : 127-132 |
A comparative ergonomic study of work-related upper extremity musculo skeletal disorder among the unskilled and skilled surgical blacksmiths in West Bengal, India
Tirthankar Ghosh1, Banibrata Das2, Somnath Gangopadhyay3
1 Department of Physiology, Manipal College of Medical Science, Pokhara, India
2 Department of Physiology, South Calcutta Girls' College, University of Calcutta, India
3 Occupational Ergonomics Laboratory, University College of Science and Technology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Correspondence Address:
Tirthankar Ghosh
3 Swami Vivekananda Road, Baruipur, Kolkata - 700 144, West Bengal
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5278.93203
Objective: The main aim of the study was to determine the nature and extent of work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and physiological stress among the blacksmiths involved in surgical instrument industry. Materials and Methods: In the present investigation, 50 male blacksmiths of each skilled and unskilled groups of the forging section had been selected. For the symptom survey, a questionnaire on discomfort symptoms was performed. Repetitiveness of work and hand grip strength of both the groups were measured. Results: It was revealed that upper limb MSD was a major problem among both group of blacksmith, primarily involving the hand, wrist, fingers, and shoulder. From this study it was found that 66% (33) skilled and 80% (40) unskilled blacksmith workers are feeling discomfort. The most commonly affected regions among the skilled and unskilled blacksmith workers were lower back (skilled 65% and unskilled 80%), neck (skilled 60% and unskilled 80%), and hand (skilled 50% and unskilled).
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