Ergonomic Study of Cotton- Picking Activity- Comparison of Ergonomic Cost between Conventional and Improved Methods

Punjab is famous for producing large quantities of high quality cotton, although participation of women in Punjab in agricultural activities is less as compared to other states, still women participate in activities such as harvesting of crops, picking of cotton, plucking of vegetables. The study was undertaken to study existing cotton-picking practices and constraints faced by rural women so as to suggest appropriate technologies to reduce drudgery. The study was conducted in two phases- field survey (200 respondents) and field experiments (60 subjects). Results revealed the involvement of 8.51 percent respondents daily in cotton –picking activity. Most of them (76%) spent 8–9 hours/day in performing cotton-picking activity. They shrunk most of the time from leisure, relaxation and sleep activities. Constraints encountered by them included figure injuries, chest pain, body aches, etc. Comparison of ergonomic cost (Physiological and muscular stresses) between conventional method and improved techniques (plucker, improved bag, full sleeves shirt and cushioned shoes) exhibited significant reduction (heart rate 7.29%, energy expenditure 17.30%, TCCW 43.75%, PCW 43%, postural deviation 61.42%). Incidence of pain was eliminated in fingers and chest whereas it reduced in feet (61.06%) and calf muscles (48.945). The use of improved bag was found to be most satisfying by the subjects, followed by cushioned shoes and plucker.