Design Intervention for Small-Scale Cowsheds

Introduction Small-scale dairy farming in India remains heavily reliant on manual labour, particularly in cow sheds where automation is limited, raising significant ergonomic concerns related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Aims and Objective This study aims to evaluate the ergonomic conditions in small-scale cow sheds, identify key risk factors contributing to MSDs, and propose targeted ergonomic interventions to improve worker safety and productivity. Methodology Ergonomic assessments were conducted on 33 cow shed workers using tools such as the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Quick Exposure Check (QEC), Workplace Ergonomic Risk Assessment (WERA), and the Oswestry Disability Index, supplemented by anthropometric measurements. Results and Discussion The findings revealed that food preparation tasks posed the highest ergonomic risks, particularly affecting the back and shoulders due to repetitive motions, awkward postures, and heavy lifting. These results underscore the critical need for ergonomic interventions in these tasks. To mitigate these risks, a user-centric product designed to enhance ergonomics during food preparation was introduced. Conclusion Implementing ergonomic improvements in food preparation tasks can substantially enhance worker safety, reduce discomfort, and increase productivity in small-scale dairy farming operations.