III RESEARCH DESIGN OF THE STUDY -...
Transcript of III RESEARCH DESIGN OF THE STUDY -...
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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
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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
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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
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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).
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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).
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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
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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
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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).
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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