ISSN 2348-1218 (print) International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations ISSN 2348-1226 (online) Vol. 9, Issue 1, pp: (16-23), Month: January - March 2021, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Posture Analysis of “CFA: pharmaceutical distribution,” workers using OWAS Pallavi Murarka1, Dr. Manjit Kaur Chauhan2 1
PhD scholar, Department of Resource Management 2Associate Professor, Department of Resource Management 1,2
SNDT Women’s University, Juhu, Mumbai – 400 049, Maharashtra, India
Abstract: Super stockist or Clearing and Forwarding Agent (CFA) is an agent who is accountable for managing and supplying stock of a pharmaceutical company. CFA workers are involved in packing and dispatch activities that require them to adopt postures such as bending back and legs, stooping, squatting, and kneeling on the floor. The purpose of this study was to analyse the work posture of CFA workers and assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among them. CFA of a major pharmaceutical company located in the Bhiwandi area of Thane district in Maharashtra was surveyed. OWAS observation method was used to assess the postures adopted by workers. Prevalence of MSD among 30 male workers was determined using a modified Nordic questionnaire. 12 commonly adopted postures were identified from the video recording of work for OWAS analysis. OWAS revealed that two postures were in OWAS action category 4 (corrective action is required immediately), and three in OWAS action category 3 (corrective action is required as soon as possible). The results of the Nordic questionnaire showed that more than 60% of workers reported pain in the lower back, followed by pain in the knee and ankle. Workers at the CFA level are susceptible to postural risk due to their work and report pain in body parts. Therefore, there is a scope of ergonomic intervention: introduction of a workstation to eliminate risky postures. Keywords: CFA, Pharmaceutical supply chain, Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD), Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD), Posture, Ovako Work Assessment System (OWAS).
I. INTRODUCTION Indian pharmaceutical sector plays a vital role in the international pharmaceutical industry by meeting global demands. It exports drugs to over 200 countries and values over US$ 21 billion in the domestic market [1]. However, the industry lags when it comes to its supply or distribution element, which needs major overhauling. A supply chain or distribution system refers to the logistic part of transporting products from the manufacturer to the ultimate consumer [2]. The supply chain in the pharmaceutical industry has an agent called Clearing and Forwarding Agent (CFA), which maintains the stock (storage and supply) of a company. CFAs provide pharmaceutical products to stockists, and stockists provide them to retailers [3]. Workers at the CFA level are involved in packing pharmaceutical products to supply them to stockists and assume several postures to do their work. Posture is the position a body assumes with the help of a group of muscles to maintain its stability [4]. Moreover, a work posture is the position adopted while working because it is appropriate for the work being done [5]. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent health problems related to body parts such as muscles, tendons, the skeleton, cartilage, the vascular system, ligaments, and nerves. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) cover MSDs either caused or worsened by work and work conditions [6]. Work conditions that lead to WMSD are repetitive movements and prolonged body postures. Musculoskeletal discomfort was reported among workers engaged in pharmaceutical packing operations [7, 8]. Workers were working in head and trunk flexed forward, and shoulders flexed and abducted position. The postural risk and presence of MSD were found to be associated with each other in this research [7]. RULA observation method and Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) exhibited considerable postural risk and pain in the knee, back, neck, and other body areas among pharmaceutical packing workers [8, 9, 10]. Workstation in the pharmaceutical packaging industry
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