Ergonomic risk assessment through group decision-making approach for cashew processing under uncertainty.

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Názov: Ergonomic risk assessment through group decision-making approach for cashew processing under uncertainty.
Autori: Periyasamy AK; Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Puducherry, Karaikal, India., Muthu SN; Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Puducherry, Karaikal, India., Krishnasamy S; Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Puducherry, Karaikal, India., Balasundaram B; Department of Mathematics, National Institute of Technology Puducherry, Karaikal, India.
Zdroj: Work (Reading, Mass.) [Work] 2025 Dec; Vol. 82 (4), pp. 1074-1087. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Jun 30.
Spôsob vydávania: Journal Article
Jazyk: English
Informácie o časopise: Publisher: SAGE Publications Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9204382 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1875-9270 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10519815 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Work Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: 2024- : [Thousand Oaks, CA] : SAGE Publications
Original Publication: Reading, MA : Andover Medical Publishers, c1990-
Výrazy zo slovníka MeSH: Ergonomics*/methods , Decision Making* , Anacardium*, Humans ; Female ; Risk Assessment/methods ; Adult ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Fuzzy Logic ; Musculoskeletal Diseases/etiology ; Musculoskeletal Diseases/prevention & control ; Uncertainty ; Occupational Diseases/etiology ; Risk Factors ; Middle Aged
Abstrakt: BackgroundWorkers in labor-intensive industries, like cashew processing, face high risks of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) from repetitive tasks. Women, who make up most of the workforce, are particularly vulnerable. Traditional Ergonomic Risk Assessment (ERA) methods often do not effectively address the uncertainties related to workers' discomfort and risk perceptions.ObjectiveThe present study provides a fuzzy logic-based method to enhance ERA, offering a more precise framework for predicting and managing ergonomic risks in cashew processing units.MethodsThe study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a structured questionnaire assessed workers' discomfort levels throughout an eight-hour shift. In the second phase, ergonomic hazards were identified, and the exposure to risk factors was analyzed using a fuzzy uncertainty model to evaluate and validate the level of risk.ResultsThe findings reveal that women workers in cashew shelling face the highest ergonomic risk due to prolonged trunk flexion and highly repetitive motions (over 20 repetitions per minute for more than six hours daily). Fuzzy computation results confirmed that cashew shelling is a high-risk activity requiring immediate ergonomic intervention.ConclusionIntegrating fuzzy logic into Ergonomic Risk Assessment (ERA) creates a more accurate framework for evaluating risks, enabling the early detection of ergonomic hazards. Implementing proactive ergonomic interventions based on these findings can significantly reduce injuries and enhance worker well-being in cashew processing units.
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: ergonomics; fuzzy logic; musculoskeletal diseases; occupational health; risk assessment; workplace
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20250630 Date Completed: 20251203 Latest Revision: 20251203
Update Code: 20251204
DOI: 10.1177/10519815251353208
PMID: 40586215
Databáza: MEDLINE
Popis
Abstrakt:BackgroundWorkers in labor-intensive industries, like cashew processing, face high risks of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) from repetitive tasks. Women, who make up most of the workforce, are particularly vulnerable. Traditional Ergonomic Risk Assessment (ERA) methods often do not effectively address the uncertainties related to workers' discomfort and risk perceptions.ObjectiveThe present study provides a fuzzy logic-based method to enhance ERA, offering a more precise framework for predicting and managing ergonomic risks in cashew processing units.MethodsThe study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a structured questionnaire assessed workers' discomfort levels throughout an eight-hour shift. In the second phase, ergonomic hazards were identified, and the exposure to risk factors was analyzed using a fuzzy uncertainty model to evaluate and validate the level of risk.ResultsThe findings reveal that women workers in cashew shelling face the highest ergonomic risk due to prolonged trunk flexion and highly repetitive motions (over 20 repetitions per minute for more than six hours daily). Fuzzy computation results confirmed that cashew shelling is a high-risk activity requiring immediate ergonomic intervention.ConclusionIntegrating fuzzy logic into Ergonomic Risk Assessment (ERA) creates a more accurate framework for evaluating risks, enabling the early detection of ergonomic hazards. Implementing proactive ergonomic interventions based on these findings can significantly reduce injuries and enhance worker well-being in cashew processing units.
ISSN:1875-9270
DOI:10.1177/10519815251353208