Evaluating ergonomic risk factors in non-regulated stone carving units of Jaipur

Stone carving in Jaipur, India, poses significant ergonomic risks to workers, with findings indicating that the majority of activities fall into high-risk categories for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and injuries. The study, involving 75 male workers across three sections of a stone carving unit, employed non-invasive tools such as REBA, RULA, and OCRA, along with psychophysical measures like body part discomfort maps and perceived exertion scales. Objective measurements revealed a working heart rate of 112.4 beats per minute after 30 minutes, classifying the work as moderately heavy. High scores in postural analyses (REBA: 13/13; RULA: 7/7) further underscored the vulnerability to MSDs. The research highlights the urgent need for ergonomic interventions, including tool and workstation redesign, to mitigate these risks, suggesting collaboration with NGOs, political parties, and human rights departments for implementation.

Mukhopadhyay, P., & Srivastava, S. (2010). Evaluating ergonomic risk factors in non-regulated stone carving units of Jaipur. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 35(1), 87–99. https://doi.org/10.3233/wor-2010-0960