Ergonomic evaluation of cumulative trauma disorders among female carpet weavers in India: guidelines to an effective sustainability in work system design

Application of multiple‐response optimization methods for the ergonomic evaluation of carpet weaving knife

“…Despite being highly prevalent to work‐related MSDs, the lack of rationale for the use of the methods to characterize ergonomics and economic challenges during carpet weaving in different aspects suggests that the area needs to be explored. The previous finding has shown that weaving involves high prevalence in the shoulder and elbow discomfort (Chaman et al, ; Choobineh, Shahnavaz, et al, ; A. K. Singh, Meena, Chaudhary, & Dangayach, ). Therefore, this study is concerned with evaluating the flexors/extensors muscles which might be responsible for causing discomfort in the forearm regions using surface EMG.…”

“…Home‐based carpet weaving profession is still common among women in contemporary society. Weaving demands high skill and precision and the weavers are often exposed to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS; Choobineh, Shahnavaz, & Lahmi, ; A. K. Singh, Meena, Chaudhary, & Dangayach, ). Several past investigations have shown that the effects of muscle activation were most apparent during high precision and repetitive work (Escorpizo & Moore, ; Laursen, Jensen, & Sjøgaard, ; Visser et al, ).…”

“…Apart from awkward postures, forceful gripping and high repetitive movement of hand and wrists muscles during weaving are directly associated with the symptoms of CTS (Kutluhan et al, ). The continuous hand knotting with poorly designed hand tools may result in swollen finger joints, finger joint arthritis, and loss of tissues and wrist inflammation, which could cause permanent finger deformation (A. K. Singh, Meena, Chaudhary, & Dangayach, ).…”

“…The researchers have commonly used electrogoniometry and electromyography (EMG) techniques for evaluating discomfort and muscle activity during physical work involving high repetition, force, or awkward postures (Afshari, Motamedzade, Salehi, & Soltanian, ; Bano, Mallick, & Khan, ; Farooq & Khan, ; Maity et al, ). A. K. Singh, Meena, Chaudhary, and Dangayach () opined that the assessment of limb movements is an essential evaluation measure for designing hand tool interventions by focusing on the path of movement of the tool. Furthermore, the evaluation of EMG activity along muscles could provide a criterion for the ergonomic workstation design to avoid overexertion.…”

“…Most of the researchers (Afshari et al, ; Chaman et al, ; Choobineh, Shahnavaz, et al, ; Nazari, Mahmoudi, Dianat, & Graveling, ; Wani, Khan, & Mamta, ; A. K. Singh, Meena, Chaudhary, & Dangayach, ) targeted the assessment of work‐related MSDs among the workers in carpet occupation. A few studies have investigated physiological factors among carpet workers (A. K. Singh et al, ; A. K. Singh, Meena, Chaudhary, & Dangayach, ). An interventional study developed few ergonomically designed weaving hand tools based on the anthropometric data of weavers in Iran and basic ergonomics principles (Motamedzade, Choobineh, Mououdi, & Arghami, ).…”