Analysis of Working Posture in Mathadi Workers Using the Computerized Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System (OWAS)

: Background: Navi Mumbai holds a large-scale market in Vashi that is the APMC market. Hence, several mathadi workers work there on regular basis. Purpose: The analysis was done to identify the working posture of the mathadi workers and whether they require any changes or not Method: Sixty mathadi workers who had spent at least one year on the job participated in this survey. They were recruited by non-probability sample of convenience from APMC market situated in Navi mumbai. Results: Working posture analysis of 60 mathadi workers was done. Analysis was done using Ovako working posture analyzing system (OWAS). From OWAS action category table we can identify which body segments bring discomfort to the mathadi workers. Besides level of action category, it also gives guidelines whether the working postures are harmful or not and whether it needs to be changed immediately or not.OWAS evaluates the posture of the back and found that 52% of the workers are in leaning forward posture and 83% of workers lift both their arms above shoulder level while lifting weight.It is found that 23(83%) mathadi workers fall under action category 3 and are at moderate risk whereas 15(25%) fall under action category 4 and are at severe risk.


Introduction:
Occupational health and safety problems prevail in every industry. Musculoskeletal injuries are a major occupational concern worldwide especially in those occupations that rely heavily on manual means of handling and performance. (1) Awkward working posture is a physical factor identified in occupational musculoskeletal injuries. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reported that awkward working posture had a strong relation to the causation of musculoskeletal injuries. (2) In scientific literature, awkward posture is one that involves considerable deviation from neutral. Typical examples of awkward posture include reaching behind, twisting, working overhead, wrist bending, kneeling, stooping, forward and backward bending, and squatting. (2) Mathadi labourers are individuals who carry material loads either on head(matha) or on his back to stack at the appropriate place. Mathadi workers are exposed to various physical factors at work, which include awkward posture, heavy lifting, forceful exertion, and repetitive motion. (3) Their job demands a high intensity of physical strength; they are exposed to high levels of physical demand and lesser amount of rest makes them vulnerable to injuries over a period of time. (4) These physical factors were reported to result in an elevated risk for musculoskeletal and occupational injuries. In order to avoid and minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injuries it is important to understand and analyze working posture. (1) One of methods to identify and analyze work posture to ensure safety and comfort in work is the Ovako Work Posture Analysis System (OWAS). The different postures that they use while loading and unloading are graded using OWAS postural tool to assess the awkward postures in assembly workers.
(2) The OWAS grades are then categorized to rule out the harmful effects that their postures can have on different body segments and how can they lead to harmful effect on musculoskeletal system.

Methodology:
The participants for this study were 60 mathadi workers who had spent at least one year on the job. They were recruited from APMC market situated in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. Mathadi workers who had undergone fracture or surgery in the past 6 months were excluded from the study. Subjects between the age group of 20 to 50 years were included in the study. Mathadi labourers are individuals who carry material loads either on head (matha) or on his back to stack at the appropriate place. Mathadi workers are exposed to various physical factors at work, which include awkward posture, heavy lifting, forceful exertion, and repetitive motion.Before executing this study, ethical approval was sought and obtained from the principal author's institution's Research and Ethical Committee.Cover letters explaining the purpose of the study as well as assurance that the information obtained will be used strictly for research purposes were distributed to the market officials, where the participants were recruited. Every participant was also requested to sign a consent form prior to the study. The objective, procedure of filling the questionnaire and benefits of the study were explained to the participants, and they were assured that the study has no known inherent physical harm.

Analysis and interpretation:
Analysis and interpretation were done with the help of results. Then the data collection sheet was collected from all the mathadi workers. And the photographs were taken from digital camera, then the data was processed into the laptop and working posture analysis was done using Ovako working posture analysis computerized software. Then all the data was transferred into the table using the excel sheet, and result was obtained. The harmful postures were identified and the needs for their changes were determined. Pain areas affected due to abnormal working posture were upper back and lower back which were prominent comparatively to other pain. Kneeling on one or both knee 7 Walking Load handle 1 Load < 10 kg 2 10 kg < Load < 20 kg 3 Load > 20 kg

GRAPH 5: ANALYSIS OF LOAD CARRIED USING OWAS WORK ASSESSMENT SYSTEM POSTURE CODE DEFINITION
The analysis of data can be divided into 2 parts.
1) Descriptive statistics for demographic data (age, BMI, no of years of experience, no of working hours per day) 2) Analytical statistics for outcome measure (Ovako working posture analyzing system) According to the working posture analysis, the most prominent risk factor is awkward posture which includes leaning forward (52%) and carrying overhead (83%) which is frequently adopted by the mathadi workers causing them various musculoskeletal disorders. It was due to improper lifting and carrying techniques and lack of attention paid to body position during work.

CONCLUSION:
From this study it is concluded that Mathadi workers are susceptible to various health related problems and there is a need of monitoring their health and posture on an ongoing basis. Mathadi workers work in extremely awkward postures exposing them to various risk factors. The most prominent risk factor is awkward posture which includes leaning forward (52%) and carrying overhead (83%) which is frequently adopted by the mathadi workers causing them various musculoskeletal disorders.