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Identification of Occupational Health Hazards in Sheet Metal Industry through REBA and RULA Method

Mukesh Das

The small-scale sheet metal industry involves repetitive processes such as blanking, bending, punching, drilling, welding, and tapping. Workers in the profession are continually exposed to work-related stresses and injuries while working for long hours. Occupational health is concerned with risk factors that can have harmful consequences on workers and, in some cases, render them permanently disabled. Ergonomics is an inherent study of the design and assessment of equipm

ent, machinery, workers, and workplace conditions for safe, pleasant, and effective human functioning to enhance the working lives of industrial employees. This study conducts an ergonomic evaluation of working postures, workstation design, and working conditions in the sheet metal industry. The primary goal is to identify Occupational Health Hazard (OHH) for the workers and suggest better changes to reduce OHH in the long run.

The ergonomic risk factors are quantified using a detailed pre-assessment questionnaire, Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). The ultimate score of both REBA and RULA is compared to standards once data is collected utilizing monitoring processes. Posture-related stressors are detected as a result of this assessment. The current health state, morbidities (if any), health exposure at work, and other associated data were gathered based on the questionnaire filled out by each worker. The assigned OHH rating ranges from 0 to 100, with 0 indicating an exceptionally joyful work environment and 100 indicating extremely overworked working circumstances. The most prevalent ergonomic problem is musculoskeletal problems caused by poor work posture, extended work hours, a lack of brief breaks, and a lack of relaxing activities for physically demanding occupations.

At the conclusion of the study, various recommendations are suggested to both employees and industry management in order to achieve an ideal work environment and lower the risk of OHH affecting workers' lives. Scheduled rest intervals, exercises to drain the tension exerted on the body, material handling training, shifts in different job activities within the same industry, and improvements in the workspace and organizational setup are only a few of the recommendations to decrease workplace risks.