Assessment of cardiac strain in small - scale aluminium casting works.

Background: The occupational health status scenario in unorganised sector is not impressive. There is a lack of awareness on occupational health and safety issues and manual labour is still obligatory. Ergonomic and work physiological studies conducted among different unorganised sector occupations are scanty. Aims and Objective: The present study intended a physiological evaluation of workload in small scale aluminium casting works. In accordance, cardiac strain of the workers is assessed in actual work situation. Methods: Seventeen regular male workers (mean age 32.6 ± 10.9; range 22 – 55) years, were examined for the magnitude of physiological strain. Different tasks performed were identified including work and rest hours. Working heart rate, net cardiac cost, relative cardiac cost and recovery heart rates were determined. Tasks performed were analysed in terms of heaviness, recommended strain level and thermal stress of the workplace. Results: Work study revealed the predominant static nature of the tasks performed. Overall strain of the job appeared to be moderate in nature with mean working heart rate of 99 ± 5.2 beats/min. Recovery patterns were inadequate for majority of the workers. Thermal stress prevailing was more than the recommended level. Conclusion: The subjects were exposed to cumulative circulatory stress which might have deleterious long term effect particularly on older workers. Interventions are required to ameliorate ergonomic stressors, which indicate further scope of study. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i2.6565 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 2. No 2 (2012) 8-13