INTRODUCTION TO WORK PHYSIOLOGY

ITS APPLICATION IN INDUSTRY

P.C.GHOSH
DIRECTOR (PHYSIOLOGY & ERGONOMICS),RETIRED
CENTRAL LABOUR INSTITUTE, SION, MUMBAI
PRESENTLY AT
DEFENCE ENCLAVE, AIR FORCE STATION
6th STREET, 5th LANE, 38, MES ROAD
AVADI, CHENNAI-600 055, TEL: (044)2684 1499
MOB: 9869534184 & 9790972857 & 9445739757 & 9840176508
E-Mail : pareshchandra_ghosh@yahoo.com
pcg_ghosh@rediffmail.com
ghoshpcg@gmail.com
 WHAT IS PHYSIOLOGY
Physio means Normal & logy means knowledge. Thus
physiology teaches us the normal functions of human
body. Benefit of learning normal activities
ª Helps us to understand abnormality or pathology
ª Helps us to be perfect clinician
ª Better diagnostic tool
ª Helps us to bring back from pathology to physiology
 WHAT IS WORK PHYSIOLOGY
It is systematic study of human physiological reaction
during Physical work, rest & recovery period of work
cycle. Benefit of work physiology is
ª Helps to determine safe limits of work
ª Helps to quantify physiological fatigue
ª Helps to make work human
ª Helps to retain health safety & productivity at shop
floor
 ENERGY SOURCE IN HUMAN

ª More a discussion of the “energy” side of using

muscles
ª Rather than the “mechanics/force” side you see in
biomechanics
ª Extends to metabolism, energy restrictions on work &
fatigue
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TWO PHYSIOLOGY

Physiology deals with

Work Physiology deals with
Various systems
mainly
ª Cardiovascular
ª Cardiovascular
ª Nervous
ª Respiratory
ª Muscular
ª Nervous
ª Respiratory
ª Muscular
ª Pulmonary
ª Skeletal
ª Digestive
ª others
ª Excretory
ª Reproductive
 POPULAR WORK PHYSIOLOGY PARAMETERS
FOR INDUSTRIAL USE
Simple Parameters
ª Heart Rate Beats.min-1
ª Oxygen Consumption in lts.min-1
ª Energy Expenditure in Kcal.min-1 or Kjole.min-1
ª Body Temperature in OC

Complicated Parameters
ª Electrical activities of Heart (ECG)
ª Electrical activities of Muscle (EMG)
ª Electrical activities of Brain (EEG)
ª Skin Galvanic Resistance (GSR))
WORK PHYSIOLOGY HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND
COMPLEX PHYSIOLOGICAL FATIGUE
ª Human physiological systems are prone to many stress factors
at shop floor which develop fatigue in system both locally &
generally. General fatigue is total local fatigue is to specific
systems needs to be address why
 WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY

ª This is another wide area in physiology where

industrial working environment must be maintain at
conducive level. Otherwise human physiological
fatigue will reduce one’s performance. The working
environment comprise of all have individual effects
on human
ª Heat
ª Cold
ª Illumination
ª Vibration
ª Noise
 WHY HEAT STRESS NOT OTHERS

We are in tropical zone thus heat is our problem not

cold as west. we loose about ten to fifteen thousand life
during summer in each year. Besides life loss heat
stress influence in industry as follows

ª Rate of higher accident if not control

ª Reduce the performance thus effect productivity
ª It effects adversely your health
ª Many heat disorders are fetal needs to be address
ª Increase absentasium during summer
ª Looses inter industrial relation during summer
HUMAN HEAT BALANCE EQUATION

M±R±C–E =±S
Where
M = Metabolic Heat
R = Radiant Heat
C = Conductive Heat
E = Evaporative Heat loss
S = Storage of Heat
 EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS
ª It is a complex procedures needs very strong math
back ground to understand such complex indices so
that one can have confidence to practice in industry.
Many such indices are developed for many industrial
application. Expensive equipment is order of the day
for all such evaluations. Many nomogrames are to be
consulted for complex calculation
HOW EXTREAM HEAT DISORDERS CAN BE TACKEL

ª Extreme heat disorder is heat stroke which is 99%

fetal rear chance to survive needs careful handling &
care to protect
ª Quick action
ª Expert monitoring
ª Analysising physiological parameters & correct
decision
ª Team work only
 APPLICATION OF WORK PHYSIOLOGY

ª One can not improve heat stress status of industrial

population unless physiological knowledge is applied in
industry. In any industrial health improvement
program physiological knowledge is a must.
 APPLICATION OF WORK PHYSIOLOGY IN
RESPIRATORY ILLMENT
ª Many occupational disease needs physiological basis for
tis clinical evaluation, notification & prevention. Thus
one could see application of work physiology in clinical
science through pulmonary function test etc.
 APPLICATION OF WORK PHYSIOLOGY IN
BIO-MECHANICS
ª Sport science
ª Bio-mechanics
ª Kinesiology in fact in all sorts of body movements
bio-mechanics has a role to play. Recently it has not
only applied in sports but has applied in military
actions & many other field with positive result.
APPLICATION OF WORK PHYSIOLOGY IN FITNESS
PROGRAM
ª Many job demands high physical capacity to preform
sustain for 8 hour work schedule for productive
purpose. work physiological knowledge is must for
selection of right person for the right jobs. For any
industry.
APPLICATION OF WORK PHYSIOLOGY IN SETTING
THERMAL EXPOSURE LIMITS
ª In adverse environmental condition thermal
physiology plays a great role in making man &
environment compatible on the basis of actual human
reactions to heat. Very complicated & needs careful
observation during decision.
 APPLICATION OF WORK PHYSIOLOGY IN SETING
REST ALLOWENCES
ª Rest allowances is last resort in controlling hostile
environmental condition in industry. Extensive
physiological observations are needed in calculation of
rest allowances. Management support medical
complications, social responsibilities are most
important factors to be considered during taking
decision.
APPLICATION OF WORK PHYSIOLOGY IN SAFETY

ª Improvement of safety health & increased productivity

at shop floor depend on work physiology such as use
of PPE, ergonomics of machine guarding, control
panel nobs, visual display etc. are all directly related
with safety & knowledge of work physiology .
APPLICATION OF WORK PHYSIOLOGY INJUDICARY

ª In judiciary, legal dispute& many other medico-legal

cases physiological knowledge is s decisive factors
needs to be considered at various levels.
 APPLICATION OF WORK PHYSIOLOGY IN
ERGONOMICS
ª Ergonomics intervention program can not be objective
to industry unless physiological basis is applied. Thus
In all aspects of industrial health physiology is
complimentary to ergonomics.
INDUSTRIAL FATIGUE A PROBLEM TO RECONWITH

ª Considerable amount of fatigue do exist among

working population in spite of mechanization which
needs to be control at safe limits to avoid acute &
chronic aliment. This ultimately effects efficiency
safety & health of working population. Work
physiology plays a great role in reduction of fatigue
in industry, which is vital for higher productivity
safety & health of working population.
 APPLICATION OF WORK PHYSIOLOGY IN
COMBATING PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS

ª Complex physiological stress can be estimate

through physiological variables. But for
psychological stress no such parameters are available
at present. Current psycho-physiological research has
shown some promising result, thus physiology is
essentials for combating physiological &
psychological stress also.
 APPLICATION OF WORK PHYSIOLOGY IN
WORKING EFFICIENCY

ª Working efficiency is yard stick for measurement of

human performance. They both are directly related to
productivity, safety & health of industrial population.
With out physiological knowledge it is not possible to
determine & decide.
THANK YOU
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