Ergonomic assessment based intervention design for waste collection and sorting tasks

Abstract

Waste collectors and sorters are exposed to high occupational risks compared to other newlineindustrial workers. The major occupational problems reported in the literature include newlinemusculoskeletal disorders, respiratory disorders, liver disorders, physical injuries, newlinegastrointestinal issues and skin disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders are high among newlineworkers in developing countries, as waste collection and sorting are primarily done newlinemanually. Inappropriate work practices, awkward working postures, inappropriate newlinedesign of work systems and poor design of tools are some areas where ergonomic newlineinterventions can significantly reduce exposure to musculoskeletal risks. The present newlineresearch aims to assess musculoskeletal disorders, the predominant occupational hazard newlineamong the waste collectors and sorters, by investigating the activities that lead to newlineoccupational diseases and injuries. The current research focuses on developing newlineergonomic interventions suitable for waste collection and sorting workers thereby newlineevaluating the effectiveness of the proposed interventions. newlineThe first study assessed waste loading tasks among the workers in India using newlinemethod study, posture analysis and digital human modelling. According to the findings, newlineimmediate changes in work postures were required. Waste loading workers were newlinesubjected to high musculoskeletal risks than other workers in waste-related occupations. newlineLifting and dumping were identified as critical activities in the waste loading task. The newlinecompressive force at L4/L5 intervertebral disc in lifting the waste bin was determined. newlineThe effect of lifting tasks on the population s 5th, 50th and 95th percentile was newlineevaluated. Compressive stresses at L4/L5 can be lowered by reducing bin size while newlinemaintaining bin weight constant. newline