Asian Journal of Home Science

Bijoylaxmi Bhuyan ¹, Mira Kalita ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Family Resource Management, College of Home Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat (Assam), IN

Abstract

In Assamese culture, many bi-products of rice are prepared with indigenous techniques and are under women's work domain. Preparations of these products are highly skillful and are labour intensive. These ready to eat nutritious products from modern 'health food' viewpoint are highly acceptable but quality is observed to be not always satisfactory. This could be due to paying of less attention to economic use of human factors and comfort in the work place. These aspects of work provide comfortable work condition and consequently promote health and efficiency of the worker that help to maintain quantity and quality of products. In this context, the study was undertaken to analyse human factors and physical factors in work place involved in processing of aforesaid products. Study revealed that 86 per cent of the workers complained of high to medium discomfort in the lumbo sacral region, which might be due to adoption of awkward postures. Rating perceived exertion of the workers was reported as 'high' indicating the work to be fatiguing, the reason might be low level of illumination in the kitchen, time consuming aspects/factors at work and need to attend to other household tasks simultaneously. In all, the physical conditions in the work place were found to be less conducive to workers. To improve human and physical factors for economic upliftment of rural women involved in self-help groups in Assam in particular, proper interventions could be planned.

Keywords

Rice, Indigenous Processing, Value Addition of Rice.

Full Text

     

Mira Kalita ¹, Nandita Bhattacharyya ², Ruplekha Borah ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Family Resource Management, College of Home Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat (Assam), IN
2 Department Family Resource Management, College of Home Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat (Assam), IN

Abstract

Work related musculo-skeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common health problem throughout the world. Assessment of exposure levels to WMSDs risk factors can be an appropriate base for planning and implementing interventional ergonomics programmes in the workplace. The presents study is focused on posture analysis of the workers working in tailoring units. For the purpose OWAS (Ovaku work posture analysis) method was used to assess specific body postures of the workers and recommend the changes to be made in the body postures while working. The prevalence of WMSDs was studied by using NMQ. The study was conducted on 100 workers engaged in various process of tailoring activities of Jorhat district of Assam, India. The photographs of different sections like measuring, marking, cutting, stitching garments and running wheel etc. showing different movements of the workers during performance of activities was observed. Postural analysis of workers found that 100 per cent workers have some harmful effect on musculo-skeletal system. Light stress, no immediate action is necessary, but changes should be considered in future working in acceptable posture and requires no corrective measures. All the respondents perceived moderate type of joint pain in the body during performances of different sub-activities. Cent per cent of the respondent experienced very severe pain in eye, neck, shoulders, legs, knees, calf muscle and feet. For increasing efficiency and reducing disorders of the workers their working posture should be changed.

Keywords

Posture Analysis, OWAS, Risk Levels, WMSDs.

Full Text

     

Mira Kalita ¹, Nandita Bhattacharyya ¹, Ruplekha Borah ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Family Resource Management, College of Home Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat (Assam), IN

Abstract

Repetitive processes and manual material handling are the major problems in hand tool manufacturing units. The presents study is focused on posture analysis of the workers working in hand tools manufacturing units of Jorhat district of Assam. For the purpose RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) was used to assess specific body postures of the workers and recommend the changes to be made in the body postures while working. The impact of posture was studied by using eye hand co-ordination and motor speed of the workers, which was measured by using Grooved Pegboard test. The prevalence of WMSDs was studied by using NMQ. The study was conducted on 30 blacksmiths engaged in various processes during manufacturing of hand tools. The photographs of different sections like preparing sheet, molding, hammering, sharpening of tools etc. showing different movements of the workers during performance of activities was observed and both side of the body was assessed. The results of RULA showed that majority of the (75 %) blacksmiths were working in medium risk level which requires further investigation and changes to be made soon in work postures for improving their health and wellbeing. About 25 per cent of the workers were found in high risk level that requires changes to be brought immediately for the benefit of the workers after proper investigation. The postural assessment of the workers at different stages observed that the neck, trunk at flexion; upper arm at flexion and extension; lower arm at pronation and wrist in neutral position. Changes were observed in Grooved Pegboard test before and after the activities. Proper rest periods were recommended to avoid WMSDs of the workers in the future.

Keywords

Posture Analysis, RULA, Risk Levels, WMSDs, NMQ.

Full Text

     

Manorama Devi ¹, Mira Kalita ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Family Resource Management and Consumer Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat (Assam), IN

Abstract

India is one of the biggest rural consumer markets in the world. Indian market have been witnessing several changes following on towards globalization, liberalization and privatization and a large scale entry of multinational company is a major outcomes of new economic order. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi (1890) “A consumer is the most important visitor on our premises; he is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him, he makes favor to us, not we favor on him”. This quote expresses the importance of a consumer in the business context. The Consumer Protection Act 1986 provides certain rights to consumers to protect themselves from unfair trade practices resorted by the seller. These rights are well defined by the Consumer Protection Act and there are agencies like the government, consumer courts and voluntary consumer organizations that work towards safe guarding the consumer rights. Each and every consumer should be aware of the consumer rights and responsibilities. For the existing study an attempt was made to find out the awareness level among the rural women. Three villages have been selected randomly from Jorhat sub-division following stratified random sampling method. A total of 120 respondents have been selected for the present study and interview method has been used to collect the data. The result of the study exposes various liabilities of the consumers and it has presented a clear scenario of the consumer’s awareness regarding their rights and responsibilities so as to know their demand. The findings of the study revealed that the age is negatively correlated with the awareness level for consumer rights and education and income are positively correlated with the awareness regarding rights of consumer. Majority of the respondents (60.83%) showed average awareness towards consumer responsibilities.

Keywords

Consumer, Consumer right, Consumer responsibility, Awareness, Rural women

Full Text