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Ergonomics at Work Environment in India

Article in SSRN Electronic Journal · January 2019

DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3348292

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Toopalli Sirisha Dr Nalla Bala Kalyan

Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Tirupati Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Karakambadi Road, Tirupati
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 ERGONOMICS AT WORK ENVIRONMENT IN INDIA
Mrs. Toopalli Sirisha
Assistant Professor
Department of Management Studies
Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering
Karakambadi Road, Tirupati-517507

Dr. Nalla Bala Kalyan

Associate Professor
Department of Management Studies
Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering
Karakambadi Road, Tirupati-517507

Abstract:
The article concerns about human factors and ergonomics at workplace, how far a workplace and
the equipment used there can best be designed for comfort, efficiency, safety, and productivity of
human. Normally we use to blame poorly designed work stations, cars, sofas and other equipment and
furniture for our aches and pains. Frequently the missing piece is how we actually use our own body.
Even the very best ergonomically premeditated workplace is of narrow importance if the human being
using it does not use their own body well. Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline
concerned with the thoughtful of the communications among human being and other elements of a
organization, and the career that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to
optimize person well-being and overall system performance. The goal of this study was to find out the
control of suitability of workplace and equipment designs and the work posture ergonomics at tube
Products of India, a Unit of Murugappa Group.

Keywords: Abilities, Ergonomics, Human Factor, India, Work Environment

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3348292

1. Introduction
Ergonomics is that the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the individual body, its
actions, and its cognitive abilities. Ergonomics is the process of designing or arranging workplaces,
commodities and systems as a result they fit the persons who use them. Ergonomics applies to the
design of something that involves individual’s workspaces, sports and leisure, health and safety.
Ergonomics have seen an increasing interest in documenting the effectiveness of intervention to
prevent musculoskeletal disorders at the primary and secondary level. Ergonomics aims to enhance
workspaces and environments to minimize risk of injury or hurt. Ergonomics deals with the ‘fit’
between the user, instrumentation and their environments. It takes account of the user’s
capabilities and limitations in seeking to make sure those tasks, functions, and the atmosphere
suit all users. Therefore as technologies modification, therefore too force the requirement to
make sure that the tools we have a tendency to access for work, rest and play designed for our
body’s needs. The main aim of ergonomics is to allow any employee to avoid injury and
discomfort at work environment. These ergonomics principles can be applied to home,
hobbies or help friends and co-workers those have parallel issue. The objective ergonomics is
to reduce human error, increase productivity, and enhance safety and comfort with a specific focus on
the interaction between the human and work place. Ergonomics is applied at organizations
designing equipment, devices and processes that fit the human body and its cognitive abilities.
Excellent use of people in social environment helps them to solve problems and compensate for gaps
in their knowledge.

2. Objectives of the Study

➢ To study about the working culture of Ergonomics at Tube Products of India
➢ To know and understand employees feel towards their work postures and repetitive bodily
movements at work.
➢ To analyze the nature of job, equipments and employee satisfaction towards work
environment
➢ To identify the various factors that creates Musculoskeletal Disorders and Repetitive Strain
Injuries (RSI)
➢ To assess whether the workplace Ergonomics of Tube Products of Murugappa Groups
maximizes efficiency, productivity and high employee morale.
➢ To identify the pitfalls if any and to suggest valuable suggestions, recommendations to
improve the workplace ergonomics at Tube Products of Murugappa Group.

3. Scope of the Study

On the basis or results of this study it can be possible to develop this study at a experimental
research type concentrating performance of workers at different ergonomics. Separate study for
physical ergonomics can also be possible for physical work based organization. Ergonomics on the
basis of employee cognition has also been taken as main research motto for mental and attitudinal
work areas in near future. Drawbacks in the current designing of workplace, material handling, tools
designing, environmental mapping can also be identified and corrective measures also been made
with help of this study.

4. Data Analysis &Interpretation

4.1 Percentage Method
Table No 4.1
Age Group of the Respondents
S. No Age No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 20-29 10 11

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 2 30-39 34 38
3 40-49 29 32
4 50 & Above 17 19
Total 90 100

Source: Primary Data

Interpretation: Age profiles of respondents are shown in Table 4.1. indicated that most belonged
to the age group of thirty to thirty nine years and minimum represented the age group of twenty to
twenty nine, From the above table, it is interference that 11% of the respondents are from the age
group of 20 -29 age group , 38% of the respondents are from the age group of 30 -39 age group ,
32% of the respondents are from the age group of 40 -49 age group, and only 19% of the
respondents are from the age group 50 and above, which indicates that the majority of the
population belongs to the age group of 30-39 yrs in the organization. And also minority of
population belongs to the age group of 20-29.
Figure 4.1
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0 No. of Respondents
Rarely

Often

Very often
Not at all

Sometimes

Percentage (%)

1 2 3 4 5

4. 2 Educational Qualification of the Respondents

Table 4.2
S. No Educational qualification No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Below SSLC 7 8
2 SSLC 14 16
3 HSC 19 21
4 Diploma/ ITI 33 37
5 UG/PG 17 19
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table 4.2 shows that about 16 per cent of the respondents were educated SSLC
and relatively lesser number of them, 21 per cent were educated up to higher secondary level.
The number of respondents attaining higher education was 21 percent. 19 per cent of the
respondents were educated up to the undergraduate or post graduates level. A considerable
number of respondents were just functionally below SSLC only 8 percent. It can be concluded
from the Table above that by and large the respondents were progressive in education but they
were still far away from the higher education which is so important today to create a knowledge
based society.
Figure 4.2

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 200
150
100
50
0

Not at all
Percentage (%)

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

Very often

Total
No. of Respondents

1 2 3 4
5

4.3 Experience of the Respondents

Table 4.3
Experience of the Respondents
S. No Experience No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 1-3 years 11 12
2 3-5 years 17 19
3 5-7 years 28 31
4 7 years & above 34 38
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table 4.3 and Figure 4.3 shows that 11 out of 90 respondents are having
experience 1 -3 years, 17 respondents are having experience more than 3 years but less than 5
years. Employees with 5to 7 years of experience are 28, and 34 employees are having work
experience of 7 years and above. It means that 12 percent of selected respondents having
experience 1 to 3 years. 19% employees having experience more than 3 years but less than 5
years.31% of the respondents are having experience more than 5years but less than 7 years. The
data shows that majority of the respondents are having more Than 7 years of work experience.
Figure 4.3

60
50
40
30
20
10 Percentage (%)
0
No. of Respondents
Rarely

Often

Very often
Not at all

Sometimes

1 2 3 4 5

4.4 Present Work Postures of the Respondents

Table 4.4
S. No Present Work Postures No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Highly comfortable 20 22
2 Comfortable 11 12
3 Neutral 9 10
4 Uncomfortable 29 32
5 Highly uncomfortable 21 23

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 Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table 4.4 and Figure 4.4 shows that 20 out of 90 respondents are feeling
highly comfortable at their present work postures, where as 21 out of 90 respondents are feeling
highly uncomfortable at their present work postures. 11 respondents feel quite comfortable at
Present Work Postures, 9 respondents expressed neutral at their Present Work Postures, and the
majority of respondents i.e. 29 out of 90 feel uncomfortable. It means that 22 percent of selected
respondents are highly comfortable for their present work postures. 12% of respondents feel
comfortable. 10 % of the respondents are neutral. Majority i.e. 32% of respondents feel
uncomfortable. As well 23% of respondents expressed highly uncomfortable at their present
work postures. The above data reveals that majority 55 % of respondents feel that the Present
Work Postures uncomfortable as well highly uncomfortable.
Figure 4.4
200
150
100
50
Percentage (%)
0
Rarely

Often

Very often
Not at all

Sometimes

Total
No. of Respondents

1 2 3 4 5

4.5 Respondent’s Towards the Repetitive Tasks for Long Hours

Table 4.5
S. NO Experience No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Yes 61 68
2 No 29 32
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table and Figure 4.5 show that 68 percent of respondents feel that they are
performing Repetitive Tasks for Long Hours at their work. It shows that Majority of respondents
feel that they are performing Repetitive Tasks for Long Hours at their work.
Figure 4.5

60

40
Percentage (%)
20
No. of Respondents
0
Not at all Rarely Sometimes
1 2 3

4.6 Frequent Body Movements of the Respondents

Table 4.6
S. No Frequent Body Movements No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Hands 53 59

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 2 Shoulders 13 14
3 Legs 9 10
4 Neck 15 17
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table and Figure 4.6 shows that majority i.e. 59% of respondents are moving
their hands very frequently at their work, minority i.e 9 % of respondents are moving their legs
frequently at their work and 15 % feel that they move the neck frequently and 13% of
respondents are moving their Shoulders frequently.
Figure 4.6
35
30
25
20
15
10
5 No. of Respondents
0
Rarely

Often

Very often
Not at all

Sometimes
Percentage (%)

1 2 3 4 5

4.7 Respondents’ Opinion towards the Activities with Hand Raised Above Shoulder Height
of the Respondents
Table 4.7
S. No Above Shoulder Height No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
Activities
1 Not at all 14 16
2 Rarely 22 24
3 Sometimes 27 30
4 Often 19 21
5 Very often 8 9
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table and figure 4.7, revealed that 30% respondents sometimes perform the
task above shoulder height, 24 % respondents rarely perform the task above shoulder height, 21
% respondents perform the task above shoulder height often, minority i.e. 9% respondents
perform the task above shoulder height very often and finally, 16% of the respondents are not at
all performing any task above shoulder height.
Figure 4.7

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 120
100
80
60
40
20 No. of Respondents
0
Percentage (%)

Rarely

Often

Very often
Sometimes

Total
Not at all
1 2 3 4 5

4.8 Respondents’ Opinion towards Changes in Postures

Table 4.8
S. No Changes In Postures No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Not at all 36 40
2 Rarely 10 11
3 Sometimes 11 12
4 Often 16 18
5 Very often 17 19
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table and figure 4.8, Revealed that 12% respondents sometimes perform the
task by changing their postures at work, minority i.e. 11% respondents rarely perform the task by
changing their postures at work, 18% respondents task by changing their postures at work, 19%
respondents task by changing their postures at work very often and finally, majority of
respondents i.e. 40% of the respondents are not at all task by changing their postures at work.
Graph 4.8
120
100
80
60
No. of Respondents
40
20 Percentage (%)
0
Always serviced
Rarely serviced
& Maintained
& Maintained
Total
1 2

4.9 Respondents’ Feel towards Working Long Hours in the Same Postures
Table 4.9
S. No Long Hours In The Same Postures No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Got accustomed & feel comfortable 27 30
2 Uncomfortable 24 27
3 Adjustable but can be modified 39 43
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data

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 Interpretation: Table and Figure 4.9 shows that 27 out of 90 respondents are feeling that
they Got accustomed & feel comfortable at Working Long Hours in the Same Postures at
present work , where as 24 out of 90 respondents are feeling that they Got Uncomfortable at
Working Long Hours in the Same Postures at present work. 39 respondents out of 90 are feeling
that they are Adjustable but can be modified at Working Long Hours in the Same Postures at
present work. It means that 30% respondents are feeling that they Got accustomed & feel
comfortable at Working Long Hours in the Same Postures at present work, where as 27%
respondents are feeling that they Got Uncomfortable at Working Long Hours in the Same
Postures at present work.43% are feeling that they are Adjustable but can be modified at
Working Long Hours in the Same Postures at present work.
Graph 4.9

Total
Percentage (%)
2

Rarely serviced &

No. of Respondents
Maintained
Always serviced &
1

Maintained
0 20 40 60 80 100

4.10 Respondents’ Opinion towards the Nature of Job

Table 4.10
S. No Nature of Job No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Repetitive 35 39
2 Random 17 19
3 Burdensome 13 14
4 Forceful 11 12
5 Friction 14 16
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table and Figure 4.10 confirm that the majority i.e. 39% of the respondents are
feeling that their nature of job is Repetitive. 19 % of the respondents are feel that their nature of
job is Random, 14 % of the respondents are feel that their nature of job is Burdensome, 12% of
the respondents are feel that their nature of job is Forceful, 16% of the respondents are feel that
their nature of job is Friction.
Graph 4.10
120
100
80
60
No. of Respondents
40
20 Percentage (%)
0
Always serviced
Rarely serviced
& Maintained
& Maintained
Total
1 2

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4.11 Respondents’ Opinion towards First Aid Facility
Table 4.11
S. No First Aid Facility No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Very good 27 30
2 Good 15 17
3 Fair 21 23
4 Poor 16 18
5 Very poor 11 12
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table and Figure 4.11 , shows that 30% of the respondents agreeing that First
Aid Facility at work place is very good , as well 17% as good , 21 % as Fair , 18% as poor and
12 % respondents feel as very poor .
Graph 4.11
120
100
80
60
No. of Respondents
40
Percentage (%)
20
0
AlwaysRarely
serviced
serviced
& Maintained
& Maintained
Total
1 2

4.12 Respondent’s Opinion towards Equipments Maintenance

Table 4.12
S. No Equipments Maintenance No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Always serviced & Maintained 69 77
2 Rarely serviced & Maintained 21 23
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table and Figure 4.12, 77% of the respondents authenticate that equipments
are always serviced & Maintained, where as 23% answered that the equipments are rarely
services and maintained
Graph 4.12

100
80
60
40
20 No. of Respondents
0
Percentage (%)
Always Rarely Total
serviced & serviced &
Maintained Maintained
1 2

4.13 Respondents’ Comfort ability towards Equipments Handling

Table 4.13

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 S. No Equipments Handling No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Highly comfortable 43 48
2 Comfortable 15 17
3 Neutral 12 13
4 Uncomfortable 14 16
5 Highly uncomfortable 6 7
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table and Figure 4.13 shows that 43 out of 90 respondents are feeling highly
comfortable at their equipment handling at present work, where as minority of respondent’s i.e.
6 out of 90 respondents are feeling highly uncomfortable at their equipment handling at present
work. 15 respondents feel quite comfortable at Present Work Postures, 12 respondents expressed
neutral at their Present Work Postures, and the 14 out of 90 feel uncomfortable. It means that
majority i.e. 48 percent of selected respondents are highly comfortable at their equipment
handling at present work. 17% of respondents feel comfortable. 12 % of the respondents are
neutral. 14% of respondents feel uncomfortable. As well 6 % of respondents expressed highly
uncomfortable at their equipment handling at present work.
Graph 4.13
120
100
80
60
40
20 No. of Respondents
0
Percentage (%)
Rarely

Often

Very often

Total
Sometimes
Not at all

1 2 3 4 5
4.14 Respondents’ Opinion towards Adjustability of Workstation & Equipments
Table 4.14
S. No Adjustability of Workstation & No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
Equipments
1 Strongly agree 33 37
2 Agree 25 28
3 Neither agree nor disagree 17 19
4 disagree 9 10
5 Strongly disagree 6 7
TOTAL 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table and Figure 4.14, inferred that 37% of the respondents strongly agree
about the adjustability of workstation and the equipments and the 7% of the respondents strongly
disagreed.
Graph 4.14

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 Total

5
Very often
Often

4
No. of Respondents
3 Sometimes Percentage (%)
Rarely
2

Not at all
1

0 50 100 150 200

4.15 Respondents’ Opinion towards Vibration Work

Table 4.15
S.NO Vibration Work No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Not at all 13 14
2 Rarely 18 20
3 Sometimes 14 16
4 Often 37 41
5 Very often 8 9
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table and figure 4.15 revealed that 16% respondents sometimes feeling
vibration at work, 20 % respondents rarely feels vibration at work, 41% respondents feeling
vibration at work t often, minority i.e. 9% respondents feeling vibration at work very often and
finally, 13 % of the respondents are not at all feeling vibration at work.
Graph 4.15
200
150
100
50
0 Percentage (%)
Rarely

Often

Very often
Sometimes

Total
Not at all

No. of Respondents

1 2 3 4 5
4.16 Respondents’ Opinion towards Noise Distraction
Table 4.16
S. No Noise Distraction No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Always 6 7
2 Mostly 9 10
3 Often 18 20
4 To some extent 22 24
5 Not at all 35 39
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data

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Interpretation: Noise level is one of the ergonomic elements that impacts on employee
communication and cognitive activities. Responses were obtained on the noise levels. As shown
in Fig. 4.16, revealed that 24% respondents some extent feeling noise distraction at work , 20 %
respondents often feels noise distraction at work, 7% respondents always feeling noise
distraction at work, minority i.e. 10% feeling noise distraction at work a mostly and finally, 39
% of the respondents are not at feeling noise distraction at work
Graph 4.16
120
100
80
60
40
20
0 No. of Respondents

Rarely

Often
Sometimes

Very often

Total
Not at all

Percentage (%)

1 2 3 4 5
4.17 Respondents’ Feel towards Overall Temperature at Their Workplace
Table 4.17
S. No Overall temperature No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Pleasant 42 47
2 Very warm 13 14
3 Moderate and tolerable 35 39
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: The study considered room temperature as one of the key elements of work
place ergonomic. As seen in Fig. 4.17, 47% of respondents feel that the Temperature at
workplace is pleasant and 14% of the respondents feel it as very warm, and 39% feel that the
Temperature at workplace Moderate and tolerable.
Graph 4.17

40
30
20
10
0 Percentage (%)
No. of Respondents No. of Respondents
Not at all

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

Percentage (%)

1 2 3 4

4.18 Respondent’s Feel towards Lighting Facility at Their Workplace

Table 4.18
S. No Lighting Facility No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Sufficient 61 68
2 Not very bad but can be 29 32
improved
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data

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 Interpretation: The study considered Lighting as one of the key elements of work place
ergonomic. As seen in Fig. 4.18, shows that 68% of the respondents feel that the lighting facility
at workplace is sufficient and 32% of the respondents feel as fair as fair but can be improve.
Graph 4.18
35
30
25
20
15 No. of Respondents
10
5 Percentage (%)
0
Not at all Rarely Sometimes
1 2 3

4.19 Respondents’ Comfort ability towards the Space Provided At Workplace

Table 4.19
S. No Space Provided At Workplace No. of Respondents Percentage (%)
1 High comfort ability 25 28
2 comfortable 27 30
3 Neutral 19 21
4 Uncomfortable 13 14
5 High uncomfortable 6 7
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table and Figure 4.19 shows t hat 25 out of 90 respondents are feeling highly
comfortable towards the space provided at workplace, 27 out of 90 respondents are feeling
comfortable at their towards the space provided at workplace, 9 respondents expressed neutral at
towards the space provided at workplace, Whereas minority i.e 6 out of 90 respondents are
feeling highly un comfortable towards the space provided at workplace. It means that 28 percent
of selected respondents are highly comfortable towards the space provided at workplace.
Majority i.e. 30% of respondents feel comfortable towards the space provided at workplace. 21
% of the respondents are neutral. 14% of respondents feel uncomfortable. As well 7% of
respondents expressed highly uncomfortable towards the space provided at workplace.
Graph 4.19
100
80
60
40
20
0
No. of Respondents
Not at all
Rarely

Sometimes

Often

Very often

Total

Percentage (%)

1 2 3 4 5

4.20 Respondents’ Option towards the Present Ergonomics at Their Workplace

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 Table 4.20
S. No Present Ergonomics No. of Respondents
Percentage (%)
1 Not at all 9 10
2 Rarely 29 32
3 Sometimes 24 27
4 Often 21 23
5 Very often 7 8
Total 90 100
Source: Primary Data
Interpretation: Table and Figure 4.20, it is inferred that 32% of the respondents told that
they can rarely achieve the goals with the present ergonomic at their workplace, and 8%
respondents answered that they can very often achieve the goals.
Figure 4.20
200
150
100
50
Percentage (%)
0
No. of Respondents
Rarely

Often
Sometimes

Very often

Total
Not at all

1 2 3 4 5
4.21 Analysis of Opinion of the Respondents’ Towards the Age Group and Year of
Experience
Table 4.21
(Chi Square)-Cross Tabulation of Age vs. Years of Experience
AGE
20-29 yrs 30-39 yrs 40-49 yrs 50 & above Total
Experience 1-3 yrs 10 1 0 0 11
3-5 yrs 0 17 0 0 17
5-7 yrs 0 16 12 0 28
7 yrs & above 0 0 17 17 34
Total 10 34 29 17 90
Hypothesis:
(H0): There is no significant association between the age and the years of experience of the
employees.ss
(H1): There is significant association between the age and the years of experience of the
employees.
(0-E) 2
Chi-Square =
Ei
Chi-Square Tests
value df Asymp. Sig. (2-sided)
Pearson chi-square 1.486E2a 9 .000
Likelihood ratio 140.410 9 .000
Linear- by –linear association 67.787 1 .000

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 N of valid cases 90
Calculation:
Calculated value = 1.486
Degrees of freedom = 9
Table value = 0.000
Interpretation: The above SPSS generated table clearly states that the significant value is below
0.05.Therefore Null Hypothesis is rejected and the alternative hypothesis is accepted. Hence, by
accepting Null hypothesis it can be interpreted that there is an association between the age group
and years of the experience of the respondents. The association among the age group and years
of the experience of the respondents explains that the age of the respondents increases, the years
of the experience of the respondents also simultaneously increases.

4.22 Analysis of Opinion of the Respondents’ Towards the Present Posture and Equipment
Handlings
Table 4.22- Correlation
S.NO Response Scale Present Posture Equipment Posture
1 High comfort ability 20 43
2 comfortable 11 15
3 Neutral 9 12
4 Uncomfortable 29 14
5 High uncomfortable 21 6
Total 90 100
Hypothesis:
(H0): There is no significant relationship between the present posture of the workplace and
equipment handling of the employees.
(H1): There is significant relationship between the present posture of the workplace and
equipment handling of the employees.
6∑di 2
r = 1-
n (n2-1)
Correlation
Present posture Handling equipment
for long hrs
Present posture Pearson correlation 1 .831
Sig-(2-talited) .000
N 90 90
Handling equipments Person Correlation .831 1
for long hrs Sig(2-talirf) .000
N 90 90
r=0.831
Interpretation: The above SPSS generated table depicts that r=0.831 which falls between (0 to
1) and shows a positive correlation between respondents present posture at work and equipment
handling. From the above table it is inferred that the significant value is below is below 0.05
which shows a significant relationship between the present posture and equipments handling of
the respondents.
4.23 Analysis of Opinion of the Respondents’ Towards the Age Group and the Present
Posture of the Respondents’ (ANOVA)

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 Table 4.23
Age Group of the Respondents
S.NO Age No. of respondents
1 20-29 yrs 10
2 30-39 yrs 34
3 40-49 yrs 29
4 50& above 17
Total 90
Table 4.24
Present Postures of the Respondents
S.NO Response Scale No of Respondents
1 High comfort ability 20
2 comfortable 11
3 Neutral 9
4 Uncomfortable 29
5 High uncomfortable 21
Total 90

Hypothesis:
(H0): There is no significant difference between the age and the present posture of the employees
at workplace.
(H1): There is significant difference between the age and the present posture of the employees at
workplace.
Table 4.25
One-Way ANOVA
Age
Sum of df Mean square F Sig.
squares
Between group 64.103 4 16.026 116.561 .000
Within group 11.636 85 .137
75.789 89

Table 4.26
Post Hoc Tests, Homogeneous Subsets
Present posture
Duncan
Age N Subset for alpha=0.05
1 2 3 4
20-29 yrs 10 1.00
30-39 yrs 34 2.21
40-49 yrs 29 4.14
50& above 17 5.00
1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000
Interpretation: The results derived from the SPSS calculation shows that significant is
below 0.05 and it paves the way for rejecting the Null Hypothesis by accepting the alternative
one and shows a significant difference between the respondents’ age and the present work
posture.

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 Graph 4.26

MEANS PLOT
4

Mean of age
3
2
1
0
MEANS PLOT

present posture

Interpretation: From the Duncan means plot, it is clear that the age group and present
postures of the respondents varies inversely proportional (i.e.) as the age of the respondents
increases, the comfort ability towards work postures decreases. Therefore there is a significant
difference between both mentioned variable.

5. Findings
➢ Majority i.e. 38% of respondents are in the age of the respondents belong to the age group
of 30 to 39 years and also 37% are diploma qualified among and 38% are having more than
seven years experience.
➢ Majority of respondents i.e. 32% of the respondents feel uncomfortable present posture at
their work and also 68% of respondents inconvenient towards performing repetitive work
for long duration, as well 59% of respondents are use their hands as frequent bodily moment
at their working hours
➢ 30 % Respondents expressed that they perform the activities with hands raised above
shoulder height at workplace sometimes and their work postures are static, and 43% of the
respondents feel that working long hours in the same postures can be adjustable but
modification and improvement is required.
➢ Majority respondents have replied that their nature of job is repetitive and 30% respondents
feel very good about the first aid facilities
➢ Majority 77% of the respondents answered that the equipments are always serviced and
maintained at their workplace and 48% of the respondents feel highly comfortable about
handling the equipments 37% of the respondents strongly agreed about the adjustability of
workstation is possible.
➢ Majority 41% of the respondents have responded they often involved in vibration work and
39% of the respondents answered that that they are not at all distracted by noise as well 74%
of the respondents tolerate noise at their workplace
➢ From the study it is found that 47% of the respondents feel that the temperature workplace is
pleasant, and 68% of the respondents feel sufficient towards the lighting facility at
workplace.
➢ Majority 30% of the respondents feel comfortable about the workplace. 32%) of the
respondents have responded as that they can rarely achieve their goals with the present
ergonomics at their workplace.
➢ The chi-square shows that there significant association between the age and years of
experience of the employees.
➢ The variance analysis expressed there is significant difference between the age and the
present posture of the employees at workplace.

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 ➢ The weighted average method it is understood that, most of the respondent’s ranked stress at
workplace as first for the causes of ergonomics.
➢ The Weighted average method it is understood that, most of the respondent’s ranked stress at
workplace as first for the causes of ergonomics.
➢ The correlation, it is inferred that there is significant relationship between the present
posture and equipments handling of the respondents.
➢ The weighted average method it shows that most of the respondents have given headache as
first rank for stress at workplace.

6. Suggestions
➢ From the research it is identified that the equipments maintenance in the organization is
excellent. The respondents feel that the equipments are well maintained, checked periodically
and serviced properly. So, the management can pursue the existing process in maintaining the
equipments.
➢ From the research, it is found that the respondents of the organization feel that the first aid
facilities provided by the management are well satisfying. It implies the concern of the
management for the workers safety.
➢ From the study, it is identified that the nature of the job is repetitive which may cause carpal
tunnel syndrome. The risk of injury is greater when highly repetitive jobs are combined with
low-force exertions such as in assembling task involving the hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders.
Hence, the management may allot the job to the workers on rotation or random basis.
➢ From the study it is found that few of the respondents feel that they are often involved in
vibration work. Continuous usage of vibrating tools such as drills can cause exposure to hand-
arm vibration. These exposures may result in wrist pain, numbness, tingling and decreased
sensitivity to touch in fingers, hands and arms. Hence, the management may design the
equipment by improving grip with hooks or straps or magnets. This will decrease the vibration
level.
➢ It is identified that few of the respondents feel inconvenient for working long hours in the same
posture.
➢ In general, workers find difficulty in achieving their goals due to some ergonomics problems.
Therefore, it is suggested to the management to maintain good ergonomics problems. Therefore,
it is suggested to the management to maintain good ergonomics which in turn will increase the
morale of the employees and productivity.
7. Conclusion
This study has exposed that suitable workstation and equipment designs as well as condition of
work posture are aspects of ergonomic factors that contributed significantly in attaining a higher level
of job satisfaction. . From the study it is analyzed that the most of respondents are moderately satisfied
with the present working postures (working for long duration in the same postures), nature of job
includes vibrations work etc. Hence the researcher concludes that the present workplace ergonomics at
Tube products of India, A Unit of Murugappa Group feels satisfied. Hence the researcher concludes
that the present workplace ergonomics at Tube products of India, A Unit of Murugappa Group feels
satisfied. In order to improve it further the management may take suggestions such as providing
comfortable postures based upon their age group, convenient environmental setting by providing well
equipments in order to improve the grips with hooks or straps or magnets to reduce the vibration level
and allotting jobs at random and rotation basis etc. This in turn will increase productivity and high
morale among employees. In the light of the unfavorable effects of neglecting ergonomic principles in
the designing of workstations and equipment at the workplace, the resultant decrease in performance
and production, and the numerous health effects that could result from deprived ergonomics, this study
recommends that there should be a collaboration between the organization and employee; in

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introducing and implementing ergonomic measures that would involve the set-up of sufficient and
healthy workstation equipment that would allow the users to adopt optimal working postures at
organization.

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