DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i04.012

Pages: 1426-1429

Background: Mathadi is a ‘Marathi’ word means ‘a person carrying a load of material either on his head or on his back to stack at the appropriate place. These include carrying, weighing, loading & unloading stacking. Musculoskeletal pain and other morbidities along with lower socio-economic status, poor nutrition, addictions and job insecurity affect adversely on health of workers. Aim: To study and compare addictions and morbidity among workers. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among workers from Iron and Steel market.Exposed group consisted of workers, working in Iron and Steel market engaged in loading and unloading stacking. Unexposed group consisted of workers with light job in same market. Results: Study included 100 Mathadi workers exposed to iron and steel and 100 unexposed workers.Average age in exposed and unexposed group was 33 years and 35 years respectively.Among exposed and unexposed, 63% and 61% percent participants were addicted to tobacco respectively.Callosities, shoulder pain, upper back ache, blunt injuries, cut injuries and headache were specific to exposed group. Conclusion: Provision of periods of rest hour and adjustable backrest seats that provide support for the lumbar region can reduce musculoskeletal pain. Monitoring an occupational environment and periodical health check-up of the workers is also necessary to create awareness regarding the ill effects of occupational hazards.