title: Examination of postures and frequency of musculoskeletal disorders among manual workers in Calcutta, India.
abstract: Manual material handling (MMH) activities require workers to adopt various awkward postures leading to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).
  
  
  
  To investigate the postures adopted during heavy load handling and the frequency of MSDs among MMH workers in Calcutta, India.
  
  
  
  We conducted a cross-sectional study with 100 MMH workers. MSD frequency was assessed via the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. The Ovako Working Posture Assessment System (OWAS) was used to analyze working posture. We used logistic regression to predict MSD risk factors.
  
  
  
  Ninety five percent of workers reported a MSD in at least one body part in the past 12 months. According to OWAS results, 83% of the analysed work postures require immediate corrective measures for worker safety. The most harmful posture was carrying a heavy load overhead. Carrying more than 120 kg increased the odds of low back and neck pain by 4.527 and 4.555, respectively.
  
  
  
  This sample had a high frequency of reported MSDs, likely attributed to physiologically strenuous occupational activities repeated on average of 30-40 times daily. Ergonomic interventions, such as the use of handcarts, and occupational training are urgently needed.
authors.affiliation: a Occupational Ergonomics Laboratory, Department of Physiology , University College of Science and Technology, University of Calcutta , Kolkata , India.
authors.forename: Krishnendu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sarkar
authors.affiliation: a Occupational Ergonomics Laboratory, Department of Physiology , University College of Science and Technology, University of Calcutta , Kolkata , India.
authors.forename: Samrat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dev
authors.affiliation: b Department of Physiology , Vidyasagar Evening College , Kolkata , India.
authors.forename: Tamal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: a Occupational Ergonomics Laboratory, Department of Physiology , University College of Science and Technology, University of Calcutta , Kolkata , India.
authors.forename: Sabarni
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chakrabarty
authors.affiliation: a Occupational Ergonomics Laboratory, Department of Physiology , University College of Science and Technology, University of Calcutta , Kolkata , India.
authors.forename: Somnath
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gangopadhyay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006804:Ergonomics; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011187:Posture; D056152:Respiratory Rate; D012881:Skin Temperature; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Informal sector; Manual material handling; Musculoskeletal disorder; Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire; OWAS