A holistic methodology for mitigating awkward postural risks: Evidence from South Indian small-scale industries

Area of Science:

• Ergonomics
• Occupational Safety
• Industrial Engineering

Background:

• Small-scale industries (SSI) are vital to the global economy but often lack proper training and infrastructure for workers.
• Contractual and temporary workers in SSI face significant risks of musculoskeletal disorders and fatigue due to poor workplace design.
• A scarcity of holistic postural risk assessment methodologies hinders the identification of awkward postures in SSI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and validate a novel holistic methodology for tracking and mitigating awkward postural risks in small-scale industries.
• To assess the effectiveness of this methodology through a case study in the South Indian Pump industry.

Main Methods:

• Empirical and numerical ergonomic evaluations were performed using Digital Human Models.
• Three virtual workspaces were created to redesign a critical workstation, focusing on improved ergonomics and workflow.

Main Results:

• The proposed methodology demonstrated significant reductions in the REBA score (by 6) and WISHA lifting index (by 1.20).
• These improvements were achieved without substantial financial investment, indicating cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• The novel methodology is effective for identifying and mitigating awkward postural risks in small-scale industries.
• This approach can encourage further research into ergonomic interventions within SSI environments.