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PREMUS 2025: 12th International Scientific Conference on the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders


09.-12.09.2025
Tübingen


Meeting Abstract

Evaluation of ergonomic interventions for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders among informal sectors’ workers in West Bengal, India

Somnath Gangopadhyay 1
1University of Calcutta, University College of Science and Technology, Department of Physiology, Occupational Ergonomics Laboratory, KOLKATA, India

Text

More than 60% people all over the world come under informal sectors. The International Labor Organization estimates informal employment worldwide to consist of 2 billion workers, or 62% of all workers. Informal employment constitutes 90% of workers in low-income countries, 67% in middle-income countries and 18% in high-income countries. Further, women tend to be more exposed to informality in low- and lower-middle-income countries, which makes them more vulnerable to economic shocks. A large number of work forces in India (90%) are directly involved in informal sectors. The most of the employees are contractual or casual. The labour laws are mostly, not applicable in the informal sectors. These informal workers are bound to work in conditions with several ergonomic and health hazards. There are lack of occupational safety and health awareness among them, which include, less attention to industrial hygiene, poor housekeeping and poor employee protection. This tremendous work force directly links with work pressure. Time is calculated as accumulation of money. Work and time will become the stress to these workers. Production has great importance than safety and health, so, human comfort is greatly neglected. Improper workstation, work procedures and tools are found to be the risk factors for the development of musculoskeletal disorders among the informal sector workers of the developing countries. Low cost ergonomic interventions can effectively improve such adverse conditions. Through the participatory ergonomics approach, several interventions are designed and applied in different informal sectors of India. A detailed study is made on the identification of efficacies of these interventions. Surprisingly observed, low cost health interventions can improve the productivity of informal sectors up to 30%. The work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are also prevented. In the present investigation, some studies related to design interventions in different informal sectors were discussed and their efficacies were analyzed. It was observed that with the help of appropriate interventions musculoskeletal disorders were reduced, adverse physiological conditions were improved when awkward postures were corrected and ultimately the organisational productivity was increased. It may be concluded that proper implementation of ergonomic interventions can ultimately improve the economy of the nation. It is essential and important to apply the exact interventions and to find out and behavioural approaches of the users towards the utilizations of interventions. As informal sectors are increasing steadily in different developing countries so to give the workers comfort is becoming a challenge of these parts of the globe.