Posture Assessment of Cup Lump Separating Workers Using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)

The coagulation of the natural rubber in the collecting cup by adding formic acid, natural rubber in the shape of a cup also known as a cup lump. Removing lumps from the collecting cups is one of the main difficulties workers face in rubber processing operations and this will entertain awkward body postures while exerting physical effort. Additionally, fast repetitive work and over-twisting of the wrist will lead the workers to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). A survey has been conducted among 32 cup lump-separating workers in the central region of Kerala, India to analyse the entire body and evaluate the extent of ergonomic risk levels as well as their exposure to MSDs in various body segments using the Standard Nordic Questionnaire and REBA. The result of the assessment shows that (84%) of participants had scores ranging from 4 to 7 which involves medium risk, hence additional research and modifications in postures were required to be made soon. While the remaining (16%) had scores ranging from 8 to 10 which involves high risk, hence changes in the posture are to be made immediately in order to avoid physical injury or disorder for the participants in the near future. The increase in REBA score makes the participants vulnerable to work-related diseases and reduces participants’ efficiency, performance, satisfaction, and speed during working and an ergonomically designed tool can easily prevent the flexion or twisting of the wrist area.