~ 117 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal 2021; SP-10(5): 117-121 ISSN (E): 2277- 7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating: 5.23 TPI 2021; SP-10(5): 117-121 © 2021 TPI www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 15-03-2021 Accepted: 24-04-2021 Smruti Rekha Panigrahi Department of Family Resource Management, Collage of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India Dr. Ruplekha Borah Professor, Dean, Collage of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India Dr. Bijoylaxmi Bhuyan Assistance Professor, Department of Family Resource Management, Collage of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India Corresponding Author: Smruti Rekha Panigrahi Department of Family Resource Management, Collage of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India Posture analysis of women involved in papad making process in Ganjam district of Odisha Smruti Rekha Panigrahi, Dr. Ruplekha Borah and Dr. Bijoylaxmi Bhuyan DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/tpi.2021.v10.i5Sb.6186 Abstract Papad making activity consists of repetitive actions and long hours of working in awkward posture which may lead to Musculoskeletal disorder in the long run. An attempt was therefore made to evaluate the posture assumed by workers in selected activities of papad making process. The postures assumed in selected sub-activities were assessed by using RULA, OWAS and flexi curve. From the survey it was found that women carried out papad making activity in a daily basis for 4-5 hours/day. The process of papad making requires a combination of postures like sitting, squatting, bending, and standing. Most of the sub activities were done in sitting-cum forward bending postures. Repetitive movements were found in upper limbs whereas static postures were maintained by lower limbs. RULA method was used to assess the postures assumed by upper limbs and lower limbs in ball making and rolling sub-activities of papad making. A RULA score of ‘5’ in ball making indicated ‘to investigate further and changes are required soon’, where as in rolling process a score of ‘7’ indicated ‘investigation and change immediately’. OWAS posture analysis was carried out in sun drying activity for two sub activities of picking papads and carrying papads both scored ‘2’ which fell under 2 nd action category that indicated “Light stress and no immediate action is necessary, but changes should be considered in future.” Therefore, ergonomic intervention is required to lower the risk of musculoskeletal disorder among the workers by improving the working postures with the help of workplace modification and using advanced tools. Keywords: Work posture, RULA, OWAS, musculoskeletal disorder Introduction Papad making was a common practice and had become a petty business prevalent either at household level, or at cluster level in Ganjam district with a large involvement of female workers. There were very few larger units as well carrying out the business in bigger scale. Papad making – in general a part of cottage industry where some of the sub activities were still performed manually with simple tools such as rolling of papads in their own homes. Cases of WMSDs were more common in these work places as the workers had to spend long hours, maintaining awkward postures, while performing the activities of papad making. It is also regarded as one of the profit making businesses for the people. This prioritised the importance of ergonomics in these work places so as to reduce the risk of harm or injury among the workers, increasing their efficiency and ensuring their safety and sustain the opportunities for income generation of the households through the skill of papad making. Methods and Materials Locale of the study The present study was carried out at Ganjam district, Berhampur city. Sampling procedure The sample for the present study was selected by following purposive cum proportionate allocation technique. Selection of district Ganjam district was selected purposively due to the ease of researcher in collecting data. As the study is on papad making, Ganjam district is famous for papad making activity. Selection of city Berhampur city was selected purposively. As this city is famous for its different variety of handmade papad.