Hiranmoy Mahata | Vidyasagar University, WB, India (original) (raw)

Papers by Hiranmoy Mahata

 Female workers in India actively participate in different agricultural jobs. Work related Musc... more  Female workers in India actively participate in different agricultural jobs. Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are common among them. The main aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the prevalence of MSD in relation to their age, socioeconomic and nutritional status. For the study 82 female workers engaged in paddy threshing were selected at random from the different villages of different districts in West Bengal state. Socioeconomic Status (SES) was evaluated by modified Kuppuswami Scale. The MSDs of the female threshers were evaluated by the modified Nordic questionnaire method. The Perceived Discomfort Rating (PDR) was assessed during work by a 10-point subjective scale. The nutritional status of the workers was determined by cutoff values of Body Mass Index (BMI) prescribed by WHO. The results revealed that the subjects of upper-lower socioeconomic class had higher prevalence of MSDs than that of the lower-middle class. The MSD was the most prevalent in thigh, knee, shoulder and lower back of the female workers and high values of PDR was noted in those segments. It was noted that the occurrence of MSDs was significantly different (P<0.01) in most of the body segments in under-and over-nourished females than that of normal weight counterparts. The higher rate of MSDs and discomfort in different segments of the workers was observed in younger age group (20-35 years.) which might be due to lesser experience and skill in young age than that of the middle age group (36-45 years.). It was concluded that the socioeconomic status, BMI and age of the female threshing workers might be influencing factors for the occurrence of MSDs.

Purpose: Evaluation of the existing walking stick and recommendations for modified walking stick ... more Purpose: Evaluation of the existing walking stick and recommendations for modified walking stick from the viewpoints of ergonomics. Materials and methods: Subjective evaluation was used by preparing a standard questionnaire. Results: 100% patients need modification in existing walking stick, 30% reported that the stick is too long to use, 30% reported that the handle was slipping out while in use, 26% felt that the stick is too heavy to them, whereas others reported palm and figure injury in long-term use of walking stick. In all, 54% reported slipping out of the stick on the floor, and 66% preferred cane as the stick material. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the elderly population need modification in existing walking sticks. The slipping rate of the stick could be minimized by adapting some modifications in the stick. Cane is preferred as the stick material in the studied population.

International Journal of Life- Sciences Scientific Research

Journal of human ergology, 2015

The present study was aimed to evaluate physiological strain among women cultivators engaged in p... more The present study was aimed to evaluate physiological strain among women cultivators engaged in potato cultivation. The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 150 women participants in different districts of West Bengal State, India. The physiological strain was evaluated by working heart rate, blood lactate and oxygen consumption. The average working heart rate was 109.97 ± 9.94 beats/min when all tasks were considered together. According to the working heart rate, oxygen consumption and energy cost, the potato cultivation job was categorized as a moderate work category. Whereas, according to cardiovascular stress index (CSI), all tasks of potato cultivation were categorized into a stressful category. The more experienced workers were more productive than their less experienced counterparts, and this increased productivity appeared to be a combination of greater efficiency and greater physical exertion. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses revealed that work pac...

Abstract Introduction: A large number of people in India are exposed to different job related pr... more Abstract
Introduction: A large number of people in India are exposed to different job related problems during performing
different carpentry tasks. The present study was aimed to evaluate the occupational health hazards and physiological
work load of the carpenters according to their work experience.
Material & Methods: The study was conducted on 150 carpenters in the age group of 21 to 46 years. The workers
were divided into three groups according to work experience (Ex), viz., Experience group I (Ex. I: 1-5 years),
Experience group II (Ex. II: 6-10 years), Experience group III (Ex.III: >10 years). Body Mass Index (BMI) was
derived from height and weight of the subjects. Cardiac strain was evaluated in terms of working heart rate (WHR),
relative cardiac cost (RCC), net cardiac cost (NCC) and other recovery indices among carpenters. The
Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) and perceived rating of discomfort was evaluated by modified Nordic
Questionnaire method and 10 point subjective scale respectively. The postural stress was assessed by OWAS, RULA
and REBA method.
Results: The extent of physical work load of the carpenters gradually decreased with the increase in experience. The
prevalence of MSD in different body segments was the highest in high experience group (Ex III, > 10 years)
followed by low experience group (Ex I, 1- 5years) and it was the lowest in moderate experience group (Ex. II, 6 -
10years) The same trends of results were found in case of body part discomfort rating. Results of postural stress
indicated that the action and risk level was comparatively lower in the carpenters of middle experience groups than
that of other two groups.
Conclusions: The prevalence of MSD, body part discomfort rating as well as postural stress were high among the
workers performing carpentry task and varied with the change of work experience.
Key words: Work experience, physiological work load, MSD, BPD, postural stress.

The bell metal works is the oldest cottage industries mainly clustered around the Bankura, Puruli... more The bell metal works is the oldest cottage industries mainly clustered around the Bankura, Purulia and Medinipur (W) districts in West Bengal, India. The smelting, hammering, scraping and paddle rolling are the most predominant activities in their Bell Metal work process. During work, different types of metal fumes are sublimated to their working environment. The present study was to investigate the prevalence of pulmonary dysfunctions of these workers. 363 workers were randomly selected of them 263 were exposed and 100 were control workers. The prevalence of pulmonary symptoms was determined by a standardized questionnaire. Pulmonary indices viz. FVC%, FEV1%, FEF 25%-75% , FEV1/FVC%, MVV-Index and PEFR were measured by a digital spirometer and smoking frequency was determined by Nitti Index. Study results revealed that there were significant differences in height (p<0.05), weight and BMI (p<0.001) between the exposed and control groups. All pulmonary indices were significantly (p<0.05 or less) lower in exposures than controls. The prevalence of different pulmonary diseases viz., COPD (p<0.05), asthma (p<0.001), wheezing (p<0.01) and breathlessness (p<0.001) were significantly higher in exposures than that of the control. It was concluded that the exposures had reduced pulmonary capacity, which might be due to expose of different gases, fumes and other pulmonary irritants. The occurrences of pulmonary diseases were higher in bell metal workers than that of non-exposed workers. Smoking and work experience may be additive adverse effect on it.

International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2016

The golden thread (jori) work is one of the major home based industries providing employment to t... more The golden thread (jori) work is one of the major home based industries providing employment to thousands of artisans spread over several rural areas of the West Bengal. The study is essentially labor intensive and thus workers are prone to suffer from work related health problems. Objective: The present study was aimed to evaluate the musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and postural stress of the female golden thread workers. Methods: The study was carried on 123 adult female golden thread workers in different districts of West Bengal. The prevalence of MSD, body part discomfort rating (BPD) and postural stress (by OWAS, RULA, REBA method) of the workers were evaluated by standard methods. The EMG of shoulder and back muscle was recorded with the help of the BIOPAC system.

The present study was aimed to evaluate physiological strain among women cultivators engaged in p... more The present study was aimed to evaluate physiological strain among women cultivators engaged in potato cultivation. The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 150 women participants in different districts of West Bengal State, India. The physiological strain was evaluated by working heart rate, blood lactate and oxygen consumption. The average working heart rate was 109.97±9.94 beats/min when all tasks were considered together. According to the working heart rate, oxygen consumption and energy cost, the potato cultivation job was categorized as a moderate work category. Whereas, according to cardiovascular stress index (CSI), all tasks of potato cultivation were categorized into a stressful category. The more experienced workers were more productive than their less experienced counterparts, and this increased productivity appeared to be a combination of greater efficiency and greater physical exertion. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses revealed that work pace and work experience had significant association with all the indices of physiological strain. Work pace had strongest significant impact on these indices even after controlling the effect of age, work experience and efficiency. It was concluded that during performing potato cultivation tasks the workers had a great extent of physiological strain.

 A large number of workers are involved in carpentry work in India. The present study was aimed... more  A large number of workers are involved in carpentry work in India. The present study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pulmonary disorders and cardiovascular stress of carpenters. The study was conducted on 60 carpenters having the age range of 18 to 60 years. They were selected from several carpenters' workshops in different districts of West Bengal, India. The subjects were divided into two groups according to their professional experience, viz., Gr.-A (work experience<15 years) and Gr.-B (work experience >15 years). Different pulmonary function parameters, viz, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1st second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow between 25-75% (FEF25-75), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) were determined using a digital spirometer for analyzing the pulmonary efficiency and the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among the carpenters. The resting and working heart rates were measured by a heart rate monitor. The cardiovascular stress index was determined from the pulse rate by the standardized formula. From the results it was noted that the FVC, FEV1 and MVV were significantly lower among the carpenters having work experience more than 15 years than that of the workers with less work experience. The occurrence of moderate and severe degree of COPD was greater in higher experience group than that in lower experience group. The mean working heart rate and cardiovascular stress index was significantly greater (p<0.001) in higher experience group in comparison to lower experience group. It was also revealed that the age of the carpenters had a positive correlation with CSI and negative correlation with PFT parameters. It was concluded that the carpenters having greater work experience were suffering from cardiovascular and pulmonary stresses to a greater extent than that lower experience group which might be related to age and long term exposure to dust.

The mobile phone is now become part and parcel of everyday life. Mobile phone (MP) is a low power... more The mobile phone is now become part and parcel of everyday life. Mobile phone (MP) is a low powered, single channel, two ways radio. It emits radio frequencies (RF) radiation to transmit information to the base station. RF radiation can cause harmful effects on physiological systems on the human body. The present study was aimed to study the effects of radio frequency (RF) emitted from mobile phones on cardiovascular system of human body. The study was conducted on 10 young university male students having age range of 21-23years. The heart rate, blood pressure and ECG wave characteristic were recorded by the BIOPAC lab system in sitting posture during ringing period of mobile phone (RF radiation-900MHz) by placing mobile phone at three different positions, viz, mobile in shirt pocket, mobile in trouser pocket and mobile in the hand. The heart rate was found to have a significant difference (p<0.001) between control condition and during the ringing of the mobile phone placed at shirt pocket. It was found that the systolic blood pressure was significantly higher (p<0.05) during ringing of mobile phone than that of controlled condition; the significant difference was noted only when phone was placed in the trousers pocket. However, no significant difference was observed in diastolic pressure between ringing and noringing conditions of the mobile phone. From the ECG analysis it was noted that all the parameters of ECG, e.g., P-wave, QRS complex, T-wave, PR interval and RR interval, showed no significant change due to ringing of mobile phone. It was concluded that the RF emitted from mobile phone had some effects on cardiovascular system.

 Female workers in India actively participate in different agricultural jobs. Work related Musc... more  Female workers in India actively participate in different agricultural jobs. Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are common among them. The main aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the prevalence of MSD in relation to their age, socioeconomic and nutritional status. For the study 82 female workers engaged in paddy threshing were selected at random from the different villages of different districts in West Bengal state. Socioeconomic Status (SES) was evaluated by modified Kuppuswami Scale. The MSDs of the female threshers were evaluated by the modified Nordic questionnaire method. The Perceived Discomfort Rating (PDR) was assessed during work by a 10-point subjective scale. The nutritional status of the workers was determined by cut-off values of Body Mass Index (BMI) prescribed by WHO. The results revealed that the subjects of upper-lower socioeconomic class had higher prevalence of MSDs than that of the lower-middle class. The MSD was the most prevalent in thigh, knee, shoulder and lower back of the female workers and high values of PDR was noted in those segments. It was noted that the occurrence of MSDs was significantly different (P<0.01) in most of the body segments in under-and over-nourished females than that of normal weight counterparts. The higher rate of MSDs and discomfort in different segments of the workers was observed in younger age group (20-35 years.) which might be due to lesser experience and skill in young age than that of the middle age group (36-45 years.). It was concluded that the socioeconomic status, BMI and age of the female threshing workers might be influencing factors for the occurrence of MSDs.

Pulmonary function variables depend on height, age and gender. There is evidence of considerable ... more Pulmonary function variables depend on height, age and gender. There is evidence of considerable variations in pulmonary functions in different ethnic groups and across generations. The aim of the present study was to assess pulmonary efficiency parameters of adult Bengalee population and their variations in relation to age, sex and anthropometric variables. Effort was also made to assess the variation of pulmonary functions of the people living in rural and urban areas. A total of 319 subjects were selected for the study having the age range 20-85 years. Among them 171 was male and 148 were female. All the subjects were classified into rural and urban groups. Height and weight were measured with standardized techniques. Pulmonary function test (PFT) was performed with the help of a portable micro spirometer (Model: DATOSPIR MICROC). BMI and COPD were computed by standardized techniques. There was a significant difference (p<0.001) in height and weight between males and female subjects but no such significant difference was observed in case of BMI. It was observed from the results that in urban population height, weight and BMI values were higher than that of the rural population for both sexes (p<0.05 or lesser). The PFT parameters were significantly higher in male than in females (p<0.001). The results showed that the PFT values were higher in urban areas than that in rural areas for both sexes (p<0.001). There was a significant difference (p<0.05, or lesser) in PFT parameters among three age groups for male subjects. There was a significant correlation (p<0.05 or lesser) between PFT parameters and height, weight and BMI for both sexes. GOLD Spirometric Criteria for COPD Severity was taken for the present study and it was found that most of the subjects of the selected population were belonged to mild COPD for both sexes. It was concluded that there was a clear cut rural urban difference in pulmonary function efficiency parameters. PFT parameters were significantly correlated with height, weight, and BMI parameters.

International Journal of Life- Sciences Scientific Research

Journal of human ergology, 2015

International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2016

The present study was aimed to evaluate physiological strain among women cultivators engaged in p... more The present study was aimed to evaluate physiological strain among women cultivators engaged in potato cultivation. The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 150 women participants in different districts of West Bengal State, India. The physiological strain was evaluated by working heart rate, blood lactate and oxygen consumption. The average working heart rate was 109.97±9.94 beats/min when all tasks were considered together. According to the working heart rate, oxygen consumption and energy cost, the potato cultivation job was categorized as a moderate work category. Whereas, according to cardiovascular stress index (CSI), all tasks of potato cultivation were categorized into a stressful category. The more experienced workers were more productive than their less experienced counterparts, and this increased productivity appeared to be a combination of greater efficiency and greater physical exertion. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses revealed that work pace and work experience had significant association with all the indices of physiological strain. Work pace had strongest significant impact on these indices even after controlling the effect of age, work experience and efficiency. It was concluded that during performing potato cultivation tasks the workers had a great extent of physiological strain.

 Female workers in India actively participate in different agricultural jobs. Work related Musc... more  Female workers in India actively participate in different agricultural jobs. Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are common among them. The main aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the prevalence of MSD in relation to their age, socioeconomic and nutritional status. For the study 82 female workers engaged in paddy threshing were selected at random from the different villages of different districts in West Bengal state. Socioeconomic Status (SES) was evaluated by modified Kuppuswami Scale. The MSDs of the female threshers were evaluated by the modified Nordic questionnaire method. The Perceived Discomfort Rating (PDR) was assessed during work by a 10-point subjective scale. The nutritional status of the workers was determined by cut-off values of Body Mass Index (BMI) prescribed by WHO. The results revealed that the subjects of upper-lower socioeconomic class had higher prevalence of MSDs than that of the lower-middle class. The MSD was the most prevalent in thigh, knee, shoulder and lower back of the female workers and high values of PDR was noted in those segments. It was noted that the occurrence of MSDs was significantly different (P<0.01) in most of the body segments in under-and over-nourished females than that of normal weight counterparts. The higher rate of MSDs and discomfort in different segments of the workers was observed in younger age group (20-35 years.) which might be due to lesser experience and skill in young age than that of the middle age group (36-45 years.). It was concluded that the socioeconomic status, BMI and age of the female threshing workers might be influencing factors for the occurrence of MSDs.