Ergonomic Risk Assessment and Musculoskeletal Disorders among Tea Plantation Workers in Bangladesh

Objectives : The purpose of the study was to determine musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and to evaluate the ergonomic risks among the tea plantation workers in Bangladesh. Methods : A mixed methods design in form of cross-sectional study was carried out on a structured questionnaire and Novel Ergonomic Postural Assessment (NERPA) method at the Varaura Tea Estate. We used SPSS to analyze quantitative data, and the qualitative insight was gathered by means of an interviewing and a field observation For Review Only Results : A high prevalence rate of MSDs was detected especially in the lower back (62 percent), shoulders (49 percent), and knees (53 percent). NERPA analysis indicated that 63.3 percent of the assessed tasks had a need of immediate ergonomic treatment because of high postural risk scores. A significant relation was obtained between certain repetitive chores (e.g. plucking, load carrying) and reported annoyance (p < 0.05) Conclusions : The ergonomics risks involved in tea plantations in Bangladesh are troublesome. The ergonomic countermeasures need to be implemented specifically with interventions targeted at improving the health and productivity of workers through the workers training and 30 enforcement of the policies.