An Ergonomic Study on Musculoskeletal Discomforts of Handloom Weavers in India

Handloom weavers work for long hours in very small spaces with minimum ventilation and low lighting levels with awkward postures. The postures adopted by the handloom weavers in their working place depends upon the personal characteristics, type of work, design of work place, the tools required to perform the particular activity and also the time duration and frequency of the activities. The handloom weavers sometimes have to adopt postures without giving consideration to their individual capability and limitations, which results in stress and trauma. Absence of application of ergonomics principles in the design of task, tools and machines in the workplace resulting in work related Musculoskeletal discomforts such as Cumulative Trauma Disorders, back pain etc. This eventually leads to a decline in productivity, satisfaction and quality of work.