Ergonomic risk assessment through group decision-making approach for cashew processing under uncertainty

BackgroundWorkers in labor-intensive industries, like cashew processing, face high risks of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) from repetitive tasks. Women, who make up most of the workforce, are particularly vulnerable. Traditional Ergonomic Risk Assessment (ERA) methods often do not effectively address the uncertainties related to workers' discomfort and risk perceptions.ObjectiveThe present study provides a fuzzy logic-based method to enhance ERA, offering a more precise framework for predicting and managing ergonomic risks in cashew processing units.MethodsThe study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a structured questionnaire assessed workers' discomfort levels throughout an eight-hour shift. In the second phase, ergonomic hazards were identified, and the exposure to risk factors was analyzed using a fuzzy uncertainty model to evaluate and validate the level of risk.ResultsThe findings reveal that women workers in cashew shelling face the highest ergonomic risk due to prolonged trunk flexion and highly repetitive motions (over 20 repetitions per minute for more than six hours daily). Fuzzy computation results confirmed that cashew shelling is a high-risk activity requiring immediate ergonomic intervention.ConclusionIntegrating fuzzy logic into Ergonomic Risk Assessment (ERA) creates a more accurate framework for evaluating risks, enabling the early detection of ergonomic hazards. Implementing proactive ergonomic interventions based on these findings can significantly reduce injuries and enhance worker well-being in cashew processing units.