Ergonomic study on workers using grinding tools in organized sector and proposed design to eliminate physical trauma during work : research article

A grinding machine is a very common tool in both organized and informal sectors, and it is evident that workmen using this tool often develop various musculoskeletal disorders. This is due to two major facts; primarily the stress of bearing the tool weight in their hands, and to a certain extent as the result of vibrations, depending upon the type of grinder, and secondarily due to the awkward working posture adopted by the workers. These features together aggravate the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorder. The intention of this paper was to propose a design or a setup (Zig), which will eliminate the risk of development of these disorders. An effort was made to provide a better working tool, or a better work layout depending on the demands and feedback from the workmen. The Zig, along with the grinder, has to be considered as a complete tool, and depending on the infrastructure and the demands of the job the specifications of the Zig design can be altered. We hope that the design is effective, and its implementation in the required situation should give fruitful results.