title: The evaluation of ergonomic risk factors among meat cutters working in Jabalpur, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Manual meat cutters in India are at high risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) for a variety of reasons including holding awkward postures, repetitive forceful exertions, and inadequate rest. This is the first study of its kind to investigate the nature and magnitude of WMSDs among manual meat cutters in India.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to measure the ergonomic risk factors for WMSDs among adult male manual meat cutters working in Jabalpur, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used direct observation, activity analysis, questionnaires, interviews, photography, and video to measure the quantitative ergonomic risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ovako working posture analysis indicated high scores (four for the back in peeling, six for the arms in cutting, and six for the arms during mincing tasks). Rapid entire body assessment method (REBA) scores were also high at 10/10 for deboning and mincing tasks, all associated with repetitive movements of the arms and awkward posture of the upper part of the body.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study indicates that most tasks for meat cutters fall in the high-risk category for occupational injury. Results suggest that ergonomic interventions that address retooling and workstation and process redesign would be useful in reducing the number of injuries.
authors: Prabir
authors: P
authors: Mukhopadhyay
authors: Amaltas
authors: A
authors: Khan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006804:Ergonomics; D005511:Food Handling; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010781:Photography; D011187:Posture; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014741:Video Recording; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Biomechanics,; Design,; Discomfort,; Ergonomics,; Injury,; Pain; Posture,; Risk,