CNC machines expose working women to certain types of ergonomic hazards, and a gender-insensitive work environment may contribute to the development of musculoskeletal disorders that have long-term health outcomes. The scientific study focused on female CNC operators’ ergonomic problems in the Indian manufacturing sector is still insufficient.
Objective
The purpose of this research was to examine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and their association with ergonomic risk factors affecting female CNC machine operators in the Indian manufacturing sector.
Methods
A structured questionnaire was used during a cross-sectional study to collect data from 300 participants, CNC machine operators, alongside quality analysts who worked in a mid-sized Indian manufacturing facility. The survey with a 5-point Likert scale evaluated personal factors, job tenure, postural strain, discomfort, and work settings to investigate their correlations. The statistical analysis with ANOVA in the SPSS system determined the relationship of discomfort factors
Results
The survey sample revealed, discomfort chiefly affected the lower back region (72%), shoulders (68%) and neck (61%). These discomforts were associated with awkward postures, sustained arm movements and prolonged standing. CNC machine female operators reported greater discomfort than their male counterparts with an 80.44% incidence rate.
Conclusions
CNC operating Female workers showed higher discomfort rates, indicating associations with potential long-term musculoskeletal risks rather than causal effects. The resolution of these concerns helps the Sustainable Development Goal progress through its creation of safer, more equitable and inclusive industrial workplaces for all employees.
ZenginGYildizYAlkanH. An investigation upon industry 4.0 and society 5.0 within the context of sustainable development goals. Sustainability2021; 13: 2682.
2.
OlubiyiTUdoIEAniekeO. Strengthening gender equality in small business and achieving sustainable development goals. J Bus Ethics2022; 35: 147–169.
3.
Gender Equality and Goal 5 of Sustainable Development Goals. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Report. 2023.
4.
Sustainability and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Policy Report. 2023.
5.
VatsalaGVijayakumarAB. A study on health and safety policies adopted by Gokaldas exports - (JDC) for women workers. JASRAE2018; 15: 62–66.
6.
Ministry of Labour & Employment. Female Labour Utilization in India: Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2021–22. Government of India Report; 2023.
7.
Press Information Bureau. India’s Workforce Transformation: Women in Labour Force. Government of India Report; 2024.
8.
GEDI-STAT Brief on Gender Equality and SDG 5. GEDI Statistical Brief; 2024.
9.
MotamedzadeMMoghimbeigiAMusaviS, et al.Ergonomics intervention in an Iranian television manufacturing industry. Work2011; 38: 257–263.
10.
SalaETorriDApostoliP. A twenty-year retrospective analysis of risk assessment of biomechanical overload of the upper limbs in multiple occupational settings. Bioengineering2023; 10: 580.
11.
Cazares-ManriquezMAGómez-GalánJAPérez-PérezJR. Musculoskeletal disorders prediagnosis by infrared thermography in CNC machinery operators. Int J Environ Res Public Health2025; 22: 157–168.
12.
Sortillón-GonzálezLRodríguez-MontañoVMGómez-GalánJA. Study of musculoskeletal disorders, risk factors, and discomfort in sculptors in Northern Mexico. Work2024: 1–10.
13.
De AlmeidaLBVieiraERZaiaJE. Musculoskeletal disorders and stress among footwear industry workers. Work2017; 56: 67–73.
ZulaikhaMHengKSSengLL. Knowledge of falls risk factors in older adults among physiotherapy students in Malaysia. Work2022; 72: 583–593.
16.
FurutaFLourençoRAAssunçãoAA. Analysis of the association between high workload and musculoskeletal pain in public school teachers. Work2024; 78: 123–135.
17.
SaragiottoBTPolitoMDYamatoTP. The effectiveness of strategies to promote walking in people with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review with meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther2020; 50: 597–606.
18.
ShivhareA. Organizational norms and women's experiences of inclusion in Indian manufacturing workplaces. Int J Organ Anal2024: 1–21.
19.
ShankarSNaveenRMohankumarP. Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries among South Indian hand screen-printing workers. Work2017; 58: 163–172.
20.
SharmaRSinghR. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, job stressors and gender responses in foundry industry. Int J Occup Saf Ergon2014; 20: 363–373.
21.
AshokPAnandPBalasubramanianV. An ergonomic evaluation of workers in the winding section of the pump manufacturing industry. Work2022; 71: 1097–1107.
22.
DewanganKNSinghVK. Ergonomic study and design of the pulpit of a wire rod mill at an integrated steel plant. J Ind Eng2015; 2015: 1–11.
23.
ChidambaramVGopalsamyMMKanchanBK, et al.A holistic methodology for mitigating awkward postural risks: evidence from South Indian small industries. Work2023; 76: 401–416.
24.
BostanparaMBahramiANouriF. Investigating the relationship between body structure status, work activity type, and musculoskeletal disorders in detergent industry workers. Work2024: 1–9.
25.
MishraPPatelR. Ergonomic studies on occupational health of women workers involved in agricultural industries: a systematic review. Work2024; 79: 25–38.
26.
DasBGhoshTGangopadhyayS. The effects of using an ergonomic aid on the physical workload and body discomfort reported by preadolescent farmers in India. Work2021; 68: 1215–1223.
27.
DasB. Gender differences in prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and physiological stress among brick field workers in West Bengal, India. Work2019; 63: 389–403.
28.
SettMSahuSPaulP. Application of the predicted biomechanics approach in assessing work-related musculoskeletal discomfort among female tea-pluckers. Work2022; 72: 1385–1395.
29.
HanumegowdaPKGnanasekaranS. Occupational physical risk factors and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among the traditional lacquerware toy makers of South India. Work2021; 69: 97–106.
30.
GhoshTDasBGangopadhyayS. Work-related musculoskeletal disorder: an occupational disorder of the goldsmiths in India. Indian J Community Med2010; 35: 321–325.
31.
JadhavGSArunachalamMSalveUR. Ergonomics and efficient workplace design for hand-sewn footwear artisans in Kolhapur, India. Work2020; 65: 213–224.
32.
BorahPPKalitaMMukhopadhyayP. Musculoskeletal disorders faced by women workers in cashew nut processing units of Assam: an ergonomic study. Work2019; 63: 605–618.
United Nations. Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UN General Assembly. 2015. Available from: https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
KuorinkaIJonssonBKilbomÅ, et al.Standardised nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon1987; 18: 233–237.
39.
LikertR. A technique for the measurement of attitudes. Arch Psychol1932; 140: 1–55.
40.
BhatiaVVaishyaROJainA, et al.Identification of prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and various risk factors in dentists. Heliyon2024; 10: e23780.
41.
PunnettLHerbertR. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: is there a gender differential, and if so, what does it mean?Int Arch Occup Environ Health2007; 80: 625–638.
42.
MessingKStockSCôtéJ. Physical exposures and women’s work: major limitations of standard approaches. Scand J Work Environ Health2015; 41: 193–205.
KilbomÅ. Repetitive work of the upper extremity: part II—the scientific basis (knowledge base) for the guide. Int J Ind Ergon1994; 14: 59–86.
46.
MansiSMilosavljevicSBaxterGD, et al.A systematic review of studies using pedometers as an intervention for musculoskeletal diseases. BMC Musculoskelet Disord2014; 15: 1–13.
47.
LiXYiXLiuJ. Effects of occupational stress and mental health on work-related musculoskeletal disorders in coal mine workers in Xinjiang. J Environ Occup Med2022; 39: 863–870.
48.
HabibiEGholamianJParidokhtF, et al.Investigating the relationship between the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and work ability index, job satisfaction, and job burnout in isfahan crystal and glass industry, Isfahan, Iran. J Health Syst Res2023; 19: 23–31.
49.
SchoepMEAdangEMMMaasJWM, et al.Productivity loss due to menstruation-related symptoms. BMJ Open2019; 9: e026186.
