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Exploring the musculoskeletal problems and associated risk-factors among brick kiln workers

Manoj Kumar Sain (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, Jaipur, India) (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Swami Keshvanand Institute of Technology, Management and Gramothan, Jaipur, India)
M.L. Meena (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, Jaipur, India)

International Journal of Workplace Health Management

ISSN: 1753-8351

Article publication date: 13 November 2018

Issue publication date: 13 November 2018

273

Abstract

Purpose

Prolonged working in repetitive and awkward postures can result in musculoskeletal disorders among workers involved in labour-intensive jobs like those of brick kiln workers. Unlike other labour-intensive sectors, workers in this particular sector have a lack of awareness about musculoskeletal problems. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore musculoskeletal issues and associated risk-factors among brick kiln workers.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted among 217 male and 111 female workers aged between 17 and 53 years. They were employed in traditional brick kiln units situated in Rajasthan, India. Postures were analysed by Rapid Upper Limb Assessment and Rapid Entire Body Assessment methods. Binary logistic regression was used to find the association between musculoskeletal problems and risk-factors.

Findings

For the mould evacuating task, wrist (76.2 per cent) and lower back (56 per cent) issues were the most frequently reported musculoskeletal problems, while in spading task, lower back (62.4 per cent) and shoulder (57.7 per cent) problems were prominent. Musculoskeletal symptoms in one or more body regions were associated with personal and work-related factors including the type of task and experience.

Research limitations/implications

Kiln workers are exposed to high musculoskeletal and postural risks, particularly in spading and mould filling tasks. To reduce these risks, ergonomic interventions are needed.

Originality/value

It is recognised that the musculoskeletal health of brick kiln workers is a cause for concern. The present study provides the evidence of the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms experienced by brick kiln workers and the association of symptoms with various risk-factors, which has not been addressed in previous studies.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors declare no conflict of interest. There is no specific funding from any provider source for this study. The authors would like to thank all the experts for their valuable suggestions in questionnaire development. The authors would also like to acknowledge the enormous support of kiln workers, managers and owners during the present study.

Citation

Sain, M.K. and Meena, M.L. (2018), "Exploring the musculoskeletal problems and associated risk-factors among brick kiln workers", International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Vol. 11 No. 6, pp. 395-410. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-05-2018-0061

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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