Musculoskeletal Disorders Among The Seed Sower Workers - A Review

Abstract

Agriculture builds the foundation food supply chain of the nation. Postural stress related with agriculture is very common in the eastern part of the world including India, where it is said to be the primary earning choice for the major population. Sowing of seed is the process where seeds are planted in the prepared field in a continuous manner. The manual method of sowing seeds include drooping posture of an individual where machine bound sowing with seed drill enforces continuous exposure to the vibration as well as extensive muscular activities of fore arm and hand. The review is mainly focused upon the way manually seeds are placed and the faced challenges resolved with ergonomic innovations. Many studies evidenced that the major discomfort is observed in the lower back, hip regions and in upper arms. The gender based reviews also showed that female sowers suffer more work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) than male. Various methods of posture analysis like rapid entire body assessment (REBA), rapid upper limb assessment (RULA), Ovako working posture assessment (OWAS) along with ART (assessment of repetitive task) tool have projected the moderated to severe risk related to the posture this kind. Lowering working hours, changing the posture at specific intervals, engagement of automation or sowers in a relay pattern and dietary management are the most beneficial ways to lower WMSDs among future farmer generations.