Assessment of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Postural Risks in West Bengal's Furniture Manufacturing Carpenters Using RULA and REBA

Abstract: Wooden furniture making is among one of the most common and predominant but unorganized industries and engages a large number of carpenters, mostly belonging to lower socio-economic backgrounds. There is a significant research gap in the assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) and in addressing the related issues occurring in these industries in West Bengal. This article discusses postural strain among 12 carpenters (25-65 years) using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). The scores from these two recognized posture analysis tests revealed the need for some changes to alleviate discomfort and reduce risk. The study’s findings suggested that providing a proper workplace with adjustable workbenches would be beneficial. Introducing short rest breaks during tasks can help delay the onset of fatigue. Among the limitations of the study is the small sample size of only 12 carpenters. This hinders the generalization of findings to a larger population. The absence of control groups also limits statistical analysis. Further research with a larger sample size and control groups can extend the study's purpose and provide a more robust assessment of WMSD in carpenters during furniture manufacturing. Keywords: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Postural load, Carpenter, Working posture analysis, Body part discomfort