Assessment of Manual Load Carrying on Indian Farms: Quantum, Mode and Health Problem

A study was undertaken to assess mode, quantum and health problem of manual load carrying on Indian farms. Two hundred forty farm workers engaged in cultivation of various crop were surveyed. Different mode of load carrying i.e. head loading, back loading, and load carrying on shoulder with a variety of load adopted by workers at self-selected speed and discomfort during the load carrying was studied. Farmers were interviewed to record history of load carrying, health problems and discomfort experienced by them during load carrying. It was observed that head loading was most common mode adopted for load carrying while back loading is adopted for heavier load contained in bags. In the present study various risk factors including age, experience, quantum of load, mode and health problems were analyzed. It was observed that cervical region was most affected with head loading whereas carrying load in other modes experienced higher discomfort. An intervention is required for load carrying in which center of gravity remains aligned with natural posture of body but load on cervical spine could be reduced.