Surface finish plays important role in service characteristics of an element, such as corrosion resistance, wear resistance and fatigue life. This leads to investigate surface finishing processes like polishing, buffing, lapping, burnishing etc. Burnishing is well known, effective and efficient super finishing technique which involves surface layers plastic deformation by cold working to refine surface texture and improve service life of component. Current work focuses on investigation of ball burnishing process and optimization of it on EN31 steel. Taguchi method is implemented for determination of best possible process parameters combination to decrease surface roughness and increase hardness of EN31 steel specimens. After burnishing surface roughness decreases from 0.446 to 0.089 µm and hardness increases from 179.5 to 266.5 Hv. Burnishing speed and feed are remarkable factors for decreasing surface roughness, whereas no. of tool passes and applied force are crucial for increasing hardness, according to optimization results. Validation tests are carried out with ideal levels of process parameters, confirming that the process of ball burnishing has improved the surface finish and hardness of EN31 steel.

Work related musculoskeletal problems are very common in industries operating their routine activities manually. These problems are the outcome of various strenuous tasks in awkward postures. A study in similar contrast was carried out for manual Indian dairy farm workers to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems and associated postural risk in this occupation. For this purpose a modified Nordic questionnaire was administered among 125 manual dairy farm workers. Binary logistic regression was applied to determine the association of postural risk factors and prevalence of musculoskeletal problems. As per the results, lower back pain was found to be the most common health issue (50.52%) mostly affecting workers engaged in fodder cutting (64.29%) and working in cowshed (63.16%). The age was significantly associated with musculoskeletal disorders in shoulders (OR=1.122, p=0.038), lower back area (OR=1.145, p=0.027) and also knees (OR=1.457, p=0.001). The workers with a balanced BMI ratio (20.1-25) were associated with very less neck disorders (OR=0.01, p=0.035) as compared to those who are underweight or overweight. The most strenuous task in dairy work is miking of cattle which was significantly associated with neck disorders (OR=5.731, , p=0.045) compared to other tasks. The height of an individual is also associated with heavy disorders in neck area of workers. With a proper ergonomic intervention, quality training of workers, use of proper hand tools and aids as well as modification in workstation design are needed to provide the more comfortable work life to dairy farm workers.

The postural risk assessment plays a very important role in calculation of musculoskeletal fatigue in human beings. A study in similar contrast contributes to an enhanced intellect of NIOSH Lifting Equation in consideration to the weight lifting conditions of manual dairy farm workers through an exhaustive description of the process involved in measuring variables affecting the risk score of an individual. NIOSH Lifting Equation is an Ergonomic technique with a systematic approach to calculate the risk score of workers involved in frequent and heavy load lifting tasks. A data driven approach capturing both films and photographs was used for evaluation along with measurement tools to calculate risk score from initial to final point of loading. The evaluation resulted in Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) of 27.86 Kgs and Lifting Index (Li) of 1.23. A trained analyst helped handling the device and also the calculation of lifting index (Li) in dairy farm area. A revised form of NIOSH Lifting equation with systematic and reliable procedures resulted in modifications in design of workstations that involved frequent load lifting for workers in dairy farm, thereby reducing the musculoskeletal disorders.

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There are various reasons by which the damage in the cold rolling mill rolls occurs. The main objective is to highlight those reasons which are responsible for the breakage. The parameters considered during the manufacturing and during the regular use of rolls in cold rolling in the past researches and the effect of these parameters to increase the life of a roll. These are based upon the various factors and summarize the effect of parameters responsible for the deformation concluded by the various researchers in the past history of cold rolling mill.