Abstract: Super stockist or Clearing and Forwarding Agent (CFA) is an agent who is accountable for managing and supplying stock of a pharmaceutical company. CFA workers are involved in packing and dispatch activities that require them to adopt postures such as bending back and legs, stooping, squatting, and kneeling on the floor. The purpose of this study was to analyse the work posture of CFA workers and assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among them. CFA of a major pharmaceutical company located in the Bhiwandi area of Thane district in Maharashtra was surveyed. OWAS observation method was used to assess the postures adopted by workers. Prevalence of MSD among 30 male workers was determined using a modified Nordic questionnaire. 12 commonly adopted postures were identified from the video recording of work for OWAS analysis. OWAS revealed that two postures were in OWAS action category 4 (corrective action is required immediately), and three in OWAS action category 3 (corrective action is required as soon as possible). The results of the Nordic questionnaire showed that more than 60% of workers reported pain in the lower back, followed by pain in the knee and ankle. Workers at the CFA level are susceptible to postural risk due to their work and report pain in body parts. Therefore, there is a scope of ergonomic intervention: introduction of a workstation to eliminate risky postures.
Keywords: CFA, Pharmaceutical supply chain, Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD), Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD), Posture, Ovako Work Assessment System (OWAS).
Title: Posture Analysis of “CFA: pharmaceutical distribution,” workers using OWAS
Author: Pallavi Murarka, Dr. Manjit Kaur Chauhan
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online)
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