ergonomics: The Emerging Science In The Indian Scenario

Abstract

Since time immemorable, man has been using ergon omics to make life more comfortable, whether the “hunter-gatherer” sharpens his tools for hunting and protection or the caveman using flint stones to light the first fire. One of the earliest civilizations in the world, India has been a torch bearer in research in ergonomics for alleviating human factor issues in day to day life; however such practices were not documented, as oppose to Western countries. Although people gradually realized the importance of ergonomics in various facets of their lives, lack of education, unorganized industrial and health sector, a slowly developing economy and absence of Government induced laws posed hindrance for the growth of the science of ergonomics in India. Importing advanced technology without adapting it to the environmental, physical, mental and sociocultural needs of the Indian workforce has not been fully realistic. In an urge to bring about technological advancement faster, often the characteristics and preferences of human operators are ignored and cause failure in technology transfer by alienating the workforce and achieve little in improving the living and working conditions of the local people. Sixty years after independence, there is more awareness amongst the masses and research in ergonomics has struck its roots not only in industrial sectors but in health, consumer products of daily needs, in the defence and agricultural sectors as well. However, lack of categorized data base of the population anthropometry still poses a major problem in product and facilities development. There is an acute need for in depth research in physical, physiological and psychological aspects of the Indian population which exhibits enormous diversity amongst ethnic groups. Ergonomics, as a useful tool for evaluating the indigenous technology and products as well as the imported ones and their implementation, can contribute to the safe and productive application of technology. In doing so India needs to emphasize on the availability of knowledge base of it’s own in the form of standards, recommendations, procedures, etc. concerning working conditions, occupational health and safety. Since many factors influencing the nature, extent and diversity of problems are specific to India (e.g. climate, people, method of work, facilities, infrastructures of technology, finance, etc.) it is necessary to incorporate research into agricultural, industrial, defence and domestic issues. Extensive efforts in this regard are being carried out in different parts of the country which now need to be unified for streamlining the recommendations and forming the ergonomic guidelines for particular population undertaking a particular occupation. A shared vision and programme for applying ergonomic concepts for an overall development of Indian society as a whole is the need of the day and each Indian is required to play his own part efficiently in this endeavour.