Occupational Hand Injuries in informal Sectors in India

Introduction
The study analyzed the incidences of hand injuries among workers in informal sector and identified the occupational, environmental and psychosocial factors attributing to hand injuries.

Methods
Health complaints, prevalence, nature and severity of hand injuries, as well as ergonomic and psychosocial factors of workers were assessed by administering a multi-method ergonomics checklist, among male (N=882) and female (N=1345) workers. The association between hand injuries and risk factors as demographic dimensions, work stressors and stress symptoms were estimated

Results
About 45% male and 31% female reported hand injuries during their occupational activities. Cut injuries were the most prevalent nature of injury. Fingers were the most affected parts of hand which accounted over 70% of the injuries. Males suffered more severe accidents than females, and the relative risk estimate suggested that males (OR 1.40) and females (OR 1.51) of less than <30 years of age were more prone to hand injuries. Females working >8 hours (OR 2.82) and with poor job satisfaction (OR 1.46) and job feedback (OR 2.11), mental overload (OR 1.90) were more prone to injuries; among males, the problems of noise (OR 1.55), illumination (OR 1.32) and work time schedule (OR 1.48) influenced in the occurrence of hand injuries.

Discussion
Strenuous work postures, hot environment, noise at work place, poor job feedback were significantly correlated with the occurrence of injuries in hands. Unsatisfactory man-machine complex (mis-match of tools, improper machine characteristics and machinery controls, incompatible work place), somatic anxiety, poor job satisfaction, and socio-domestic disruption are the causative factors in the occurrence of hand injuries. Optimal man-machine compatibility may significantly minimize the risk potential of injuries.