Ergonomic Analysis of Unorganized Women Construction Labourers in their Occupational Settings

Abstract

In India, majority of women in the workforce feature in the unorganized labour The major factor impacting such workers is their ignorance about occupational health hazards both physical and ergonomic Between the two physical health at least receives minimum priority for consideration Ergonomic hazards are found to be beyond their knowledge domain Construction is a physically newlinedemanding occupation but a vital part of our nation Unfortunately these workers women basically are not aware of the physiological and subsequent psychological problems they are landing themselves to The study revealed that the jobs entrusted to the selected sample and their nature and safety was found to be unsatisfactory For the wages they earned the jobs performed were quite disproportionate Ninety per cent of the women construction workers were focused to complain of respiratory problems newlinefollowed by allergic reactions 32 percentage asthma 22 percentage and bronchitis 12 percentage mainly caused due to inhalation of dust Contact dermatitis caused by cement was reported by one quarter of the sample Irritation and partial hearing loss due to noise pollution and headache and rashes by working under the newlineSun were reported by all the workers Exposure to cold environment resulted in arthritis for ten per cent of the women Gynaecological disorders such as menstrual problems and miscarriage among young women due to carrying heavy loads was reported by 82 per cent and five per cent of surveyed newlinewomen respectively Water and improper sanitary facilities had led to fever 56 percentage and urinary tract infection among 22 per cent of the samples Around 21 per cent also suffered throat infection or irritation as a perennial problem An injury such as sprain or strain of muscles working in the sites was complained of by a negligible five per cent of the samples due to unsafe working conditions Above all these awkward work posture had impacted pain in many body parts for the selected sample Pain in the extremities both upper and lower shoulder neck and back