Abstract: The present study focuses on the musculoskeletal problems faced by the washroom cleaners working in malls of Mumbai City. Cleaning activities are considered to be physically demanding and should be done without exposing workers to the risks of accidental injury or work-related ill health. Numerous investigations have shown, however, that cleaners are at risk of developing MSDs of the back, neck, shoulders, elbows, hands and lower limbs as a result of their work [1].
Here, an attempt has been made to study and assess the job activities and work related musculoskeletal problems and other postural problems especially among the women workers working as housekeepers/cleaners in the Malls of Mumbai City. For the study a sample of 30 housekeepers was selected from 5 similar types of malls (based on size and the number of the visitors). An Interview Schedule was developed based on the observations and the pilot study in the malls OWAS technique was used to assess the various postures adopted at work using photographic technique. The activities performed by housekeepers were cleaning floor, walls, commodes, sinks, and mirrors and throwing the sanitary waste. The finding of the study revealed that 53.3% and 26.6% females felt that the overall job to be very heavy and heavy respectively. Whereas 46.6% and 30% females perceived throwing sanitary waste and commode cleaning to be heavy tasks respectively. It was also seen that all these activities were repeated minimum for at least 5 – 7 times and sometimes 8 – 10 times daily by the housekeepers thus leading to excessive bodily pain and discomfort due to repetitive movements involved. Almost all the women workers reported of having pain in neck, shoulder, wrist, low back and knee. But in terms of intensity of pain, the workers had very severe pain in Low back (96.7%), wrist (76.7%) and shoulder (70%), followed by upper back (60%) and neck (53.3%) region. The overall job was rated as very heavy. Activities like cleaning platform, sink and commode were rated as heavy activities. Similarly the postural analysis by OWAS technique put these activities into action category – 3 where corrective measures were needed as soon as possible. Thus, confirming to the result of RPE rating as heavy activities for cleaning platform, sink and commode. The study proposes to recommend of having training programs for maintaining right posture at work, use of ergonomically designed equipment’s for cleaning, regular medical check-ups and to have exercise regime for workers and finally to the designers of the washroom in the malls to design keeping in mind the stress it is going to put on the cleaners while cleaning and not just aesthetics.
Keywords: Housekeepers, cleaning, posture, washroom cleaners. MSD, OWAS.
Title: Work Related Musculoskeletal Problems Faced By the Washroom Cleaners Working In Malls
Author: Dr. Manjit Kaur Chauhan, Ms. Priyanka Patel
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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