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III RESEARCH DESIGN OF THE STUDY

A research design covers all the aspects of the selected research work

and serves as a blue- print for the endeavor states, Krishnaswami (1999),

depicting the exact nature of the work in a systematic manner. It involves

information in view of the framework of the study, availability of data,

observation, analysis, sampling etc (Khanzode, 2007). Therefore, the plan

and procedure for the concerned research study on the topic entitled

“Ergonomic Analysis of Unorganized Women Construction Labourers intheir Occupational Settings” included:

A. Investigatory Study

B.Ethnographic Study

C.Situational Study

D.Ergonomic Study

E. Action Study

F. Applied Ergonomics

A. Investigatory Study: It is a type of field survey where the required

information from the concerned sector is obtained by investigating details

about the particular sample using specific methods. An investigatory study of

the status of construction work collected through primary and secondary data

revealed the following. About 2.8 crore in organized sector and about

27.7 crore in unorganized are employed in the construction sector. There are

1.7 crore workers in building and other construction works in India. These

workers are one of the most numerous and vulnerable segment of the

unorganized sector. Participation of female unskilled workers in the

construction industry is about 30 per cent of the total workforce (Singh, 2010

and http://iccindia.org/construction-law/jeet%20singh%20mann.pdf). A worker

is defined as one who participates either full-time or part-time in the activity of

the enterprise. The worker may serve the enterprise in any capacity - primary

or supervisory (NSS, 2001). On the positive side, the construction industry,

thus offers much needed employment for a large number of the world’s

poorest people.

Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu was the locale selected for the study. Doing

research in the concerned locale, ease in accessibility and availability of

52

relevant data enthused choosing the same. According to Census 2011, the

population of Coimbatore was estimated as 3,472,578 of which male and

female were 1,735,362 and 1,737,216 respectively (http://www.census2011.

co.in/census/district/32-coimbatore.html). Coimbatore boasts of construction

activities as traditional, livelihood avenues for the women folk. Hence the

investigatory study revealed that even most of the agriculturists to have

changed their occupation to construction work. According to the Tamil Nadu

construction workers welfare board, marketing committee office of Coimbatore

(Ramanathapuram) the total number of construction workers who had

registered in the office through the trade union numbered 1,064,521; they

constituted 687,814 male workers (64.6 per cent) and 376,707 female

workers (35.4 per cent) proving the national statistics that 30 per cent of the

women to be working in this sector.

To comprehend the general health condition of workforce in this

category the Government hospital was visited. Each department was visited

for one month. The major health disorders for which the women construction

workers approached the hospital were found to be those related to ortho, skin

and gynaecological problems. Within the month and across the departments,

the study revealed 120 patients to have reported to OP (outpatient ward), out

of which a majority of 43.4 per cent sought treatment for ortho problems,

followed by 40 per cent in gynaecology and 16.6 per cent in dermatology.

All had complaints of body pain along with such specific disorders. These

gave an insight into the real health-related issues the construction workers

endured due to their choice of vocation and the same acted as germane for

further study.

B. Ethnographic Study: Ethnography is the study of culture, more

specifically cultural anthropology. It is a process of actively and

comprehensively understanding a group of people and discovering the

meanings people give to particular issues (Webber and Bessant, 2001).

This requires researchers to observe the setting of their study, immerse

themselves in the culture of the setting and collect data in a systematic

manner (Brewer, 2000). To this effect Hammersely and Atkinson (1995),

justify why ethnography is termed “naturalism”, meaning the studying of the

53

world in its “natural” state. From among the three main approaches of

ethnographic studies (Abboud, 2010), classical ethnography was chosen to

enable the researcher to make a thorough observational analysis over time

and make sound and reflective observations. Moreover this approach which

requires working on minimal a priori assumptions necessary for the success

and execution of classical ethnography cases further motivated choosing the

same. With these points in view an ethnographic study of women construction

workers of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu was done.

1. Selection of method: Household survey was chosen for the study.

According to Saravanavel (2008) and Gupta, (2010) a survey is a process of

collecting data from existing population units to study their characteristics with

no particular control over factors that may affect the population

characteristics. Survey research studies, large and small population by

selecting and studying samples chosen from the population to discover the

relative incidence, distribution and interrelationship of sociological and

psychological variables.

2. Selection of Locale: The specific areas selected for the study were Sulur,

Ramanathapuram, R.S.Puram, Vadakovai, Sai-baba Colony, Venkittapuram,

Velandipalayam, Kanuvai, Edyarpalayam, Saravana Nagar and

Periyanaickanpalayam in Coimbatore region adopting convenience sampling.

When population elements are selected for inclusion in the sample based on

the ease of access, it can be called convenience sampling (Kothari, 2007) and

the sampling design deals with the method of selecting items to be observed

for the given study (Madan et al., 2010).

Selection of Sample: The respondents selected should be as representative

of the total population as possible in order to produce a miniature cross

section.

The construction industry is divided into three majorsegments: General construction: residential, industrial, commercialand other buildings. Heavy civil construction: construction of sewers, roads,highways and bridges, tunnels and other projects. Specialized trade: some contractors take up specializedactivities such as interior work, carpentry, external glazing,painting, plumbing and electrical works(http://www.projectsmonitor.com/ MISC/make-safety).

Figure 3: The Coimbatore Map

54

As the construction industry includes labour, involving distinct yet

different activities, the selection of sample within Coimbatore was restricted to

mainly women workers who were working in the construction of residential

buildings, schools, university buildings and offices. Five hundred women

labourers working in different construction sites were selected for the study

adopting convenience sampling, which refers to the collection of information

from members who are conveniently available to provide it and mostly used

during exploratory phase of a research project and as the best way of getting

some basic information quickly and efficiently (Murthy, 2009). Availability of

adequate sample, permission from promoters/supervisors to interview the

workers and ease in accessibility motivated choice of the samples.

4. Selection of Tool: To facilitate the process the necessary tool – an

interview schedule - was drafted. A schedule is a structured set of questions

which are usually asked orally and recorded in writing by the interviewer. This

permits the interviewer to express the question in such a fashion that the

respondent can understand it most easily. The schedule framed for the study

invited responses to the demographic (social and personal factors of the

samples) and economic variables of the concerned sample. Responses

relating to their personal factors like age, financial status, education and

occupation plus details on social factors were elicited. The schedule also

helped suck out information about management of the personal resources like

time, energy, community facilities and nutritional status. In order to find the

nutritional status, a 24 hour recall method of food intake for three consecutive

days was requested from the sample. From the data obtained the nutrient

intake of the selected sample was determined. According to Morrison and

Hork (1999), the method of dietary assessment in which the individual is

asked to remember everything eaten during the 24 hours is 24 hour food

recall survey. This requires an individual list of specific foods consumed within

the 24 hours which is then analyzed by the pursor (or) professional gathering

information (Mahan and Stump, 2008). From the data the nutritive intake of

the samples was calculated using the Nutritive Value of Indian Foods

(Gopalan et al., 2000).

55

5. Conduct of the study: The study was conducted by administering the

schedules on the samples, during their leisure and the details were elicited

and recorded. The outcomes that emerged pertaining to the survey are

presented under Chapter IV. A sample of the schedule is presented under

Appendix (I).

C. Situational Study: It is a method used to analyze both the internal and

external environments (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/situation_analysis). The

sampling design for the study was divided into two categories: Work Study

and Operational Study.

1. Work Study: Work study refers to the systematic critical assessment of

efficiency required to do the job and varies from one job to another job

(Ramasamay, 1999). It is the generalized name used to describe a complete

set of techniques through which work can be simplified, standardized and

measured (Dalela and Saurabh, 1999). With these in view, the activities

encompassing construction work for women workers were analyzed. The

study included:

a. Selection of Sample and Locale: The same 500 samples selected for

the survey, satisfied for the work study too as they were primarily selected

only to analyze their work pattern. The investigator visited individual sites and

observed the activities performed by them for more than a week respectively

and recorded data. The locale naturally was the individual work environments

of the concerned sample in Coimbatore. As this part of the study mainly

focused on deriving information on their vocation, further investigation vested

on the following lines:

b. Mode of Data Collection: Gathering of pertinent information regarding the

selected samples in their work milieu included both collection of data fromprimary and secondary sources. In those cases where the primary data

could not provide an adequate basis for analysis, secondary data which are

not originally collected but rather obtained from published or unpublished

sources - (Gupta, 2010) was used. Unit of enquiry for the present studywere the women workers involved in construction activities.

56

c. Gathering Information: The interview is a most widely used method of

gathering information in the field. No other approach enables the investigator

to glean so much information and yet remain so flexible states, Misra, (2001),

as it is an effective method to learn from people what they believe, how they

think, and how that affects their life. The method chosen for conduct of the

study was use of a semi-structured interview. There are two different forms of

interviews: fully-structured and semi-structured. Fully-structured interviews are

interviews where the schedule is structured and the questions are set in store.

Semi-structured interviews also begin with a streamlined set of questions, but

have the flexibility to add additional questions based on the interviewees’

responses (http://www.geo.mtu.edu). Hence a semi structured schedule was

used to gather information. It elicited details on the nature of work, work

pattern, at home and at work place, time allocation, types of employment,

nature of work and activities performed by women construction workers,

working hours, work environments, motivation for work, reasons for taking up

the vocation and the like. A model of the schedule is presented under

Appendix I. Thus for the present study a semi-structured interview was

adopted. The inquiry basically was to derive information about the worker and

the work environments.

d. Conduct of the Study: The samples were approached during leisure, to

collect details as per the schedule regarding the home and work font. The

findings are analyzed and are presented under Chapter IV.

2. Operational Study: According to Kothari (2007), the operational design

deals with the techniques by which the procedures specified in the sampling,

statistical and observational design can be carried out. This part of the study

aimed at deriving information on pertinent concepts that included details on

the activities carried out in particular.

a. Job Description: The present study with the help of a structured schedule

– an interview guide (Appendix I) derived details on the job analysis of women

construction workers and human resource use in work. The tool used was an

interview guide. An Interview guide is a list of topic questions on areas which

the interviewer uses merely as a prompter during the interview

(Saravanavel, 2008). This permits the interviewer to express the question in

57

such a fashion that the respondent can understand it most easily. It is not a

simple two-way conversation between an investigator and an informant

(Thanulingom, 2000). The tool framed for the study requested details on

manual materials handling tasks performed, mean weight of the material

carried, average distance moved during performance of the tasks and mean

repetition of the activity.

b. Selection of Sample and Method: The same 500 workers satisfied the

sample groups for this study too. Personal interview along with observation

was the method selected for conduct of the study. Personal interview method

requires a person known as the interviewer asking questions generally in a

face to face contact to the other person or persons (Kothari, 2007).

Observation is the basic method of obtaining information about the world

around. An observation becomes scientific, if it is planned and recorded

systematically and is subject to checks and controls on validity and reliability

(Kothari, 2007). Hence, classical ethnography (P.52) was practiced to collect

necessary details. The samples were observed while actively engaged in a

task – allotted for a minimum of one week to decipher the required information

on type of activity performed, repetition and time involved for action. This

further enabled to observe the worker’s postural adaptations while performing

different tasks and make a video recording while in action. The same tool

presented in Appendix I was administered on the chosen sample.

c. Conduct of the Study: The schedule was administered on the sample

when they were actively engaged in the tasks, enabling observation of the

samples while at work, scan their work and video recorded them during

performance. Details were collected as per the schedule, consolidated and

the findings are presented under Chapter IV.

D. Ergonomic Study: Ergonomics is one of those buzzwords these days,

and all human interface contributions are known as either Human Factors or

Ergonomics. In today's usage, ergonomics is often thought of in terms of

injury prevention in the workplace and includes topics such as: occupational

safety, health and environment, biomechanics, furniture and equipment

design, workplace layout, and job training (http://www.usernomics.

com/ergonomic-marketing). According to Jayakumar (2009), ergonomics is

58

applied to adapt such systems so as to provide maximum job satisfaction and

comfort and minimum physiological and mental load to the worker. So

ergonomic analysis of activities in the present study involved all the three

components - the work, worker and work environment - and studied the

impact of the work and work environment on the worker on the following

scores. Hence the same 500 workers in their respective work environments

formed the sample and locale of the study.

1. Work Profile: This aspect of the study delineated details on the physical

activities classified under the domain of occupation and domestic work

performed by the sample. An occupation is solely for income, while pursuing

another preferred career track. It is an activity that serves as one’s regular

source of livelihood; a vocation (http://wikipedia. org/wiki/occupation).

Domestic work on the other hand is the main daily activity of the homemaker

and includes cleaning, cooking and looking after children

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ homemakers). However, both type of work,

warrant physical activity. Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement

produced by the contraction of selected muscles that increases energy

expenditure above base level activities.

Details pertaining to the component activities of construction like time

spent on different activities, distance traversed, and precision required and

work schedule – were deduced. Data pertaining to multitasking, namely the

samples’ involvement in household chores and income earning avenues,

fatigue and tasks contributing to fatigue was also elicited. Analysis of these

activities helped to identify different types of efforts involved in performance of

the same. The schedules presented in Appendix I aided in finding out each

detail.

2. Worker Profile: Personal details of the samples as workers in terms of

their age of entry, years of experience in the respective fields and information,

pertaining to their input concerning the construction activity namely cognitive

(knowledge, mental skills analysis and trouble shooting) affective

(feelings/attitudes towards the jobs) psychomotor concepts (manual physical

effort), load carried, frequency of tasks repeated, rest pauses, fatiguing

conditions, were gathered using the same schedule. This enabled finding out

59

the samples’ involvement in the activities over and above baseline activities.

Individual anthropometry of the samples was also found out.

3. Work Environment: Work environment means the milieu around a person.

It is all about things and living things that are around them where the worker is

working (http://www.blurlet.com) and are the conditions which can affect the

worker’s well being and efficiency towards work. This part of the ergonomic

analysis facilitated channelizing the methodology of the study to find out

details on the work environment in terms of workplace culture, stress, facilities

available (potable water, sanitary, personal protective equipment),

occupational problems/hazards and the like, through the following analysis.

a. Work-related Problems: Studies conducted by Basu et al., (2008) on

“Ergonomic evaluation of work stress among female labourers in unorganized

sectors of the construction industry in India” revealed the female construction

labourers to face excessive ergonomic stress during their work, stress which

deteriorates their health and well-being. The study necessitated paying proper

attention to the health and safety aspects of the work done by female

construction labourers working in unorganized sectors. With this in mind the

same sample in their respective work environments were interviewed and

observed to identify the problem arenas, discrimination, ill treatment,

domination, sexual harassment and other difficulties faced by the women

workers in their workplace along with their exposure to environmental

parameters, seasonal difficulties, movements made, equipment/ tools used,

occupational stresses, job related pains endured, discomforts perceived and

the like in relation to the work place design and work place lay out.

The responses obtained encouraged further analysis to study their status of

health and well being. The detail on all the above parameters was collected,

analyzed and the findings are presented under Chapter IV.

E. Action Study: For the action study 50 willing, cooperative workers and

accessible workers (doing all the activities) from Venkittapuram area in

Coimbatore formed the sample groups. The sampling technique was evidently

purposive. A purposive sample is selected non-randomly but for some

particular reason. It can almost be considered to constitute a population

(McBurney, 2002). Based on the light of the findings obtained for the phases

60

stated earlier in this chapter, it was proposed to study in detail about the

samples general health status and work – induced musculoskeletal disorders

complained of by them on the following lines:

1. Objective Ergonomic Analysis of the Workers

2. Subjective Ergonomic Analysis of the Job on the Workers

1. Objective Ergonomic Analysis of the Workers: To understand their

general health status and strength, the following test – batteries were

administered.

a. Anthropometry to calculate the BMIb. Grip strength to gauge the sample’s strength in the maximum

used body parts – arms and fingersc. Monitoring heart rate to determine the strenuousness of the jobs

performeda. Anthropometry to calculate the BMI

The following parameters were determined for the selected sample

using scientific methods

Weight: Weight was taken using a portable human weighing machine

(KRUPS weighing balance), size – 30 × 30 × 6 cm, Net Weight – 2.5 kg,

Capacity – 125 kg with an accuracy of 0.5 kg. The machine was placed on the

plane surface and then the samples were asked to stand erect on the

machine wearing minimum clothing.

Height: Height was measured with the help of a measuring tape. The

sample was asked to stand erect on the floor and then the vertical distance

from the ground to the vertex of the sample was measured. Using the two

parameters individual BMI – Body mass index was calculated as per thestandard formula

Body mass index = Weight (Kilograms)

Height (Meter2)

The details are presented under Chapter IV.

61

b. Grip Strength to Gauge their Strength in the Maximum Used BodyParts – Arms and Fingers

It is widely accepted that, grip and pinch strength measurements

provide an objective index of the functional integrity of the upper extremity

(Balogun, 1991). A dynamometer was used to get the most accurate and

acceptable measures of grip strength and a pinch meter was used to quantify

the finger pinch strength as suggested by Schmidt and Toews (1970),

Mathiowetz et al., (1985), Lagerstrom and Nordgren (1998).

In order to measure the grip strength and the pinch strength of the

concerned sample, the Jamar dynamometer (Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer,

5030J1, Sammons Preston Roylan, Canada) (Exhibit 5) and the Jamar pinch

gauge (Pinch Gauge, 7498-05) were used respectively.

Samples were allowed to familiarize themselves with each instrument

by one sub maximal practice trial. Then they were asked to sit with their hips

and knees flexed to 900 and their feet flat on the floor, with their shoulder

abducted and neutrally rotated, elbow flexed to 900, forearm in mid prone

position and wrist in slightly extended position for optimal performance while

recording data for both hand power grip and lateral pinch strength as shown in

Plate 1.

The hand muscles play a vital role in the performance of day to dayactivities of normal life such as using tools or transferring from one position toanother, such as rising from a chair (Skelton et al., 1994). The relationshipbetween handgrip strength and a number of variables included morbidity(Klidjian et al., 1980), mortality (Phillips 1986), the risk of falling (Wickham et al.,1989), anthropometric traits (Ross and Rosblad 2002; Malina et al., 1987; Koley etal., 2009), a range of functional ability variables (Hughes et al., 1997; Hyatt et al.,1990) and nutritional status (Guo et al., 1996). It is of great use as a functionalindex of nutritional status state, Brozek (1984); Vaz et al., (1996) and Jeejeebhoy,(1998). Hand grip strength is a physiological variable that is affected by a numberof factors including age, gender and body size among others. Strongcorrelations between grip strength and various anthropometric traits, (weight,height, hand length etc.) by Malina et al., (1987); Ross and Rösblad, (2002) wasreported. Hand grip strength is a reliable measurement when standardizedmethods and calibrated equipment are used, even when there are differentassessors (Mathiowetz, 2002) or different brands of dynamometers(Schmidt et al., 2002).

62

52

62

63

64

Grip strength was tested among fifty women construction workers,

selected according to purposive sampling using the Jamar hydraulic hand

dynamometer and subjected to the tests beginning with the right hand, which

was followed by the left hand. All the tests were performed for both dominant

and non dominant hands for the individual subjects. Each subject was

instructed to squeeze the hand dynamometer for three seconds and then to

break for one minute before the next squeeze. Three maximum attempts for

each measurement was taken and the average value of these trials was

recorded. One - minute rest was given between each attempt and hands were

alternated to minimize fatigue effects. No verbal encouragements were

performed. Results were recorded in kilograms and compared with the

prescribed norms given in Appendix II.

Pinch strength was then measured using the pinch gauge, which

measured finger pretension force, the test sequence of which was identical to

that of the hand power grip test. The calibration of both instruments was

tested periodically during the study. The recorded details are given in Results

and Discussion.

c. Monitoring Heart Rate to Determine the Status of Job Performed

As an individual’s general fitness level, duration of work and level of

work stress may all affect heart rate, (Brouha, 1967), this parameter was

considered as the best to identify the strenuousness of the job. Further heart

rate data are used to provide guidelines for acceptable work intensities.

Hence this test battery also was administered on the sample. Measurement of

heart rate was performed using polar heart rate monitor (RS400/RS800) as

shown in Plate 1.

The resting (base) value was found out allowing the individual subjects

to sit on a chair in a comfortable position and three consecutive readings were

taken allowing one minute gap in between each reading to ensure reliability.

Similarly the changes incurred in heart rate after performance of each activity

carrying load (same floor), carrying load (upper floor), passing bricks

manually, sieving sand, shoveling, filling mud in the foundation and sweeping

was measured following the same procedure for three times each. Changes

incurred with performance were recorded. Necessary statistical analysis was

65

done to relate the parameters to individual personal factors and the details are

presented along with the findings of the study under Chapter IV. These facts

enthused observing the samples in their work milieu.

2. Subjective Ergonomic Analysis of the Job on the Workers: As the

findings proved, women construction workers to be the most affected group

ergonomically stated especially in terms of the posture they adopted, they

were selected for the postural analysis. To that extent 50 samples (doing

different type of activities) were chosen adopting purposive sampling. In

purposive sampling the same sample is selected with a definite purpose in

view and the choice of sampling units depends entirely on the discretion and

the judgement of the investigator (Gupta, 2010). Homogeneity, uniform years

of experience, age, willingness to cooperate and absence of other physical

ailments (BP, diabetes) were the factors considered for choice of the sample.

The action study drafted for testing the concerned sample subjectively

included administering the following test batteries and collecting details while

they were performing different types of activities, namely,

1. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ)–(Kuorinka et al., 1987)

2. Body Discomfort Rating Scale - (Corlett and Bishop, 1976)

3. RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) Scale – A postural Analysis

method for the investigation of the upper limb disorders (Mc Atamney

and Corlett, 1993).

4. OWAS (Ovako Working posture Assessment system) – A method of

work posture assessment (Karhu et al., 1977).

Administering the Test-batteries: Nordic Questionnaire was modified

according to the situation and was used (Appendix III) to interview the workers

in their local dialect (Tamil). Modified Nordic Questionnaire and Body Part

Discomfort (BPD) scale were administered on the selected workers to identify

the musculoskeletal disorders and the zones of discomfort experienced in

different body parts while engaged in performance. The sequence was

videographed for further analysis. Two different types of postural analysis viz,

OWAS and RULA were used to find out the postural load on the women

workers at work. While the first two helped the researcher to gain knowledge

66

on the trouble shooters (and the samples too to become aware of occupation-

related discomforts/pain), the third and fourth test batteries mainly aided

further in comprehending the postural load on the workers during performance

which can lead to irreparable occupational hazards to onset of diseases in the

samples.

The posture adopted by the workers in their working place depends

upon the type of work, the design of the work place, personal characteristics,

the tools required to perform the particular work and also the duration and

frequency of the work cycle state Putz-Anderson, (1988) and Bridger, (1995).

So, various techniques have been reported for postural analyses to identify

the stress during different phases of work (Colombini et al., 1985).One of the

earliest methods of work posture assessment was Ovako Working postures

Assessment System (OWAS) state Karhu et al., (1977) which other authors

also had used for posture analysis (Kant et al., 1990; Kivi and Mattila, 1991;

Engels et al., 1994). Being a successful/rewarding method this method was

chosen for postural analysis of the selected sample. The other method for

postural analysis is the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) (Mc Atamney

and Corlett, 1993), which has been extensively used in various studies

(Leuder, 1996; Axelsson, 1997 and Gutierrez, 1998). These again motivated

the investigator to study the concerned sample using the method. Thus the

subjective response of the samples was studied using all the four test

batteries. All these enabled identification of the samples’ fitness for the

vocation taken up. The findings of all the four test batteries administered on

the samples are presented under Results and Discussion.

F. Applied Ergonomics: In this context, Ergonomics is the science of

designing equipment, workplace and even the job to fit the worker. It covers a

broad spectrum of factors that make up the fit between humans and work, the

research of which enables designers to create equipment better suited to the

human form so that it puts less stress on the body, as well as help control

exposure to external factors such as light, temperature and noise so that

workers can be at their most productive for longer (http://www.safetynews

andreviews.co.uk/ article.asp?c=21).

67

The findings of the studies conducted to analyze the status of the

samples, revealed both the socio economic and ergonomic status of the

samples as not satisfactory. Therefore, it was decided to include an applied

action study in the agenda of the methodology which can help augment their

status considerably and also help mitigate a few problem areas. With this in

view, the final part of the study included:

1. Ergonomic Intervention Programme: In most cases, the cause of musculoskeletal

disorders can be traced to body movements and the demands of the job. Given the physical

nature of construction jobs, it is not surprising that many complain of back, shoulder, or knee

problems. Many of these conditions could be prevented if the amount of awkward, heavy,

repetitive activities required by the job be reduced. While construction jobs will never be like

desk jobs, they can be made to be safer using, ‘Elements of a Good Health and Safety

Program’. Successful programs aimed at reducing musculoskeletal disorders have six

essential elements (NIOSH, 2007) namely:

Management commitment and employee participation

Hazard awareness and identification

Job hazard analysis and solution development

Training

Medical management and alternative duty

Program evaluation

Using these as guidelines to improve working practices of the

selected sample an ergonomic intervention programme was designed and

imparted to the sample by enrolling other stakeholders. This Applied

Ergonomics endeavour was channelized to include the following:

a. Intervention and Feedback

b. Assurance for Personal Protection and Social Security

c. Evaluation of the Programme

d. Suggestive Policies for implementation

a. Intervention and Feedback: When ergonomic changes are introduced into

the workplace or job site, they should always be accompanied by worker

training on how to work safely. To instill the benefits of adopting ergonomic

practices and work methods in workers while performing the activities an

intervention programme was conducted. The programme drafted included the

following aspects:

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i. Developing the Schedule for Intervention

ii. Conducting Intervention Programme

iii. Feedback

i. Developing the Schedule for Intervention: The course or schedule for

intervention included physical ergonomics, work environment and work

related hazards, application of ergonomics in daily living, healthy habits in

daily living, healthy diets, social security schemes, health and hygiene,

benefits of registration to construction trade union and benefits of personal

protective equipments. Screening of a video program on health and hygiene

was also thought of.

ii. Selection of Sample and Locale: Venkittapuram and Edyarpalayam women

workers from among the sample who were willing to participate in the

programme were chosen for attending the programme adopting purposive

sampling. In purposive sampling, sample is chosen with a purpose in mind,

usually seeking one or more specific predefined groups. It is useful in situation

where the targeted sample has to be reached quickly (Trochim, 2008). Only

those women who had put in more than ten years of experience in the field,

had already stated experiencing the brunt of engaging in the activity

physically, had felt the need for such a purpose to enlighten themselves on

the ergonomic issues related to the field of activity and above all those who

had not registered under Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board of

Construction office were selected. A pre intervention survey was conducted

using a checklist (Appendix IV) to understand the extent of comprehension

regarding ergonomic concepts related to the vocation while inviting them for

the survey.

iii. Conducting Intervention Programme: A two day Ergonomics Intervention

Programme was organized by the investigator under the guidance of

Dr. Visalakshi Rajeswari, Professor in Resource Management

(Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women,

Coimbatore) as a joint venture including the Central Board of Workers

Education, Ministry of Labour and Employment, (Government of India),

Coimbatore and Rotary Club of Coimbatore Texcity.

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The intervention programme was conducted as per the schedule

framed inviting guest speakers from various disciplines and vocations –

professors, Education officers for Central Board of Workers Education

department, medical officers, physiotherapists and philanthropists. Various

modes of communication like lecture-cum-demonstration, posters, print media

and screening of video programme were introduced to motivate the

participants for active participation. The Ergonomic intervention programme

was designed not only to generate awareness among the samples but also to

insist on practicing healthy habits and to follow a changed life style. The

details of the programme are presented under Results and Discussion

iii. Feedback: At the end of the two day program the participants were asked

to give their feedback. Feedback received was documented and is presented

under Results and Discussion, along with the details on conduct of the

intervention programme.

b. Assurance for Personal Protection and Social Security: Subramania

(1994), defined the concept of social security in its broadest sense, as a

support provided by the society to the individual, to enable him / her to attain a

reasonable standard of living and to protect the standard from falling due to

any contingency. Johri and Pandey (1972) stated that, the extension of social

security to the unorganized sector was not merely a matter of extension of the

existing organized sector schemes to new groups, but it involved the

development of a different and more diversified set of schemes. To comply

with the views of both the statements, this item was added on the agenda of

the intervention programme.

The study highlighted two important aspects for intervention apart from

the need for enlightening them on the ergonomic issues related to their

vocation. They are:

Lack of provision for personal protection in sites

Lack of knowledge on and provision for social security

Considering these two factors for understanding their status and the

lacunae felt by the samples necessary proactive actions were taken by the

investigator, the details of which are presented in Chapter IV.

70

c. Evaluation of the Programme: A checklist (Appendix IV) prepared in the

local language (Tamil) and used prior to organizing the intervention

programme was administered on the same samples after 10 months from the

time the programme was conducted. In the mean time observation was done

by visiting construction site and workers’ houses personally to find out

whether they followed what was instructed to them in the programme. The

details were documented, the findings of which are presented under Results

and Discussion.

d. Suggestive Policies for Implementation: Comprehension of the

ethnography of the concerned study area focussed a few policies that can be

implemented by both Government and non governmental agencies for the

benefit of the women construction labourers. The details of the same are

presented under Chapter IV.

It is hoped that the study would help throw light on the ergonomic

problems faced by the construction workers, at the same time pave way for

participative intervention programme to mitigate them. An earnest attempt

also has been made to change the concerned sample’s living styles to make

them stronger and participating citizens.

Research Design of the Study conducted in Coimbatore City (Locale)

PhasesNature of

Study Sample/Method Method of datacollection

Tools Outcomes

Primary &Secondary data

Workenvironment

120 / womenconstructionworkers/ purposive

Nutritional Status

Demographic ProfileSocio economic profileprofile

EthnographicStudy

Physical problems enduredOrtho – 43.4%, Gynaec - 40%Dermatology– 16.6%

PilotStudy

Work Profile

Primary dataabout multitasking at home &work place

InvestigatoryStudy

ClassicalEthnography

Structured Schedule

Non structuredschedule

Worker

Work studySituational

Study OperationalStudy

Job ScanningWorker &WorkEnvironment

Semi StructuredSchedule &Videography

Activities Performed Work &Worker

ErgonomicStudy

Time spent, distancetraversed, types ofeffort involved, fatigue

Work &Worker

WorkerProfile

Occupational healthhazards, Propensity toWMSDs

ActionStudy

Subjective

WorkEnvironment& Worker

BodyDiscomfort

PosturalAnalysis

MSD

PostureLoad

NORDIC, BPD

OWAS, RULA

AppliedErgonomics

Objective

Anthropometry kitHandgripDynamometer,Pinch Gauge,Heart rate monitor

Worker

Ergonomics InterventionProgramme withMinistry of Worker’sEducation, Rotary Club,Local Head

Intervention & feedback

Assurance for Personal ProtectiveEquipment, Facilitating Registrationof women construction workers tounion construction office

Worker

Workplace culture,Ambience – Pathwaysto Stress, Fatigue,OccupationalHealth/Hazards

Evaluation of the Programme & Suggestive policies for Implementation

Worker

FocusEr

gono

mic

sof C

onst

ruct

ion

Indu

stry

Ergo

nom

ic P

rofil

e of

Wor

kers

inw

ork

Envi

ronm

ent

Inte

rven

tion

Proactive

Impaction

SUBJECTIVE

OBJECTIVE

Worker

BMI; Strength of the hand/arm& finger, Acceptable workintensity – Absolute and relativeassessment of cardiac cost

Worker

500/

Wom

enC

onst

ruct

ion

Wor

kers

/Con

veni

ence

50/P

urpo

sive

Prim

ary

Dat

aPr

imar

y D

ata

Pers

onal

Inte

rvie

w u

sing

Sch

edul

e,O

bser

vatio

n &

Vid

eogr

aphy