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Background:Workers exposed to heavy manual material handling (MMH) in a hot working environment succumb to severe physical stress and psychological stress.Aims:(1) Recognize the heat load at workplaces of ceramic industry and iron industry, and (2) comparatively examine the characteristics of self-reported physiological responses and heat-health perception among these workers.Settings and Design:Cross-sectional prospective study.Materials and Methods:Workplace microclimate in the ceramic industry and iron industry was monitored. An ergonomic checklist and a questionnaire was used to record self-reported workers’ perceptions toward heat stress at workplace (ceramic workers N = 321, iron foundry workers N = 253). The prevalence rates of subjective symptoms among workers of both the industries were compared.Statistical Analysis:Chi-square test was used to examine the association between stressors and health complaints at a significance level set at P < 0.05.Results:Iron foundries recorded higher mean ambient temperature (43.4 ± 3.7°C) and wet-bulb globe temperature (WGBT) index (31.5 ± 0.7°C) as compared to ceramic industries (39.9 ± 3.3°C and 28 ± 1.5°C, respectively). Heavy sweating, elevated body temperature, sleeplessness, excessive thirst, muscular discomforts, and fatigue were prime symptoms recorded among workers of both industries. Skin-related disorders (red face, dry skin, bumps, itching) were significantly higher among iron foundry workers, whereas sleeplessness, high blood pressure, heavy sweating, kidney stone, decreased urination, muscular discomforts, and fatigue were significantly more among ceramic workers. Young workers reported more sweating and fatigue than older workers.Conclusions:A hot work climate and heavy manual labor designate ceramic and iron industries as arduous. Direct contact with hot surface and continuous MMH in tandem with the mechanical pace of production process makes work in ceramic industries more difficult than iron foundries.

Objectives To examine the relationship between the personality domains with the second to fourth digit ratio (2d:4d); a prenatal testosterone exposure marker. Methods The 2d:4d for both hands was measured for the Indian male subjects' (n = 994). Ten‐item personality inventory and displaced aggression questionnaire data were collected in a self‐reported proforma in this cross sectional study with a convenient sampling approach. Results The personality traits, namely openness to new experiences, carelessness, and self‐discipline were significantly differed between lower‐half and higher‐half of 2d:4d by median split. The right hand 2d:4d was positively correlated with open to new experiences and negatively correlated with disorganization, carelessness, and revenge planning. The left hand 2d:4d was positively correlated with aggression. On binary logistic regression, openness was positively associated while carelessness was negatively associated with the right hand 2d:4d and self‐discipline trait was negatively associated with the left hand 2d:4d. Conclusion This study affirmed the link between 2d:4d and domains of Big Five personality factors among Indian men and inverse relationship between 2d:4d and more “female” hands in the domains of disorganization, carelessness, and revenge planning even in men, emphasizing the effect of prenatal testosterone exposure on human personality.

Background:Pushing and pulling in workplaces are common actions. Repetitive forceful exertions in long-duration works lead to increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries.Aim:To investigate the upper extremity strength in generic push–pull modes while using hand tools and forecasting the limits of the workers while frequent or continuous operation.Settings and Design:The study was conducted among men workers in Ahmedabad city, India, and the design was cross-sectional study.Materials and Methods:In all, 100 men were recruited (Group 1: 18–39 years and Group 2: 40–60 years). Upper extremity muscular strength (isometric mode) testing of the preferred hand during push–pull type of manual hand-tool operations was carried out for 60 s. Forecasting of strength to generate predictions for future events (120 s) based on known past events (measured 60 s) was carried out using Holt–Winters time-series model.Statistical Analysis:Descriptive statistics was used for analysis. For prediction model evaluation, WEKA 3.8.2 was used.Results:Anthropometric parameters of both groups were similar, having no effect on generated strength. Largely, pull strength was recorded to be higher than push strength, wherein Group 2 men generated slightly higher strength. Seated strength was also higher than standing exertion. Forecasting reveals steady strength values for Group 1 men, whereas steep decline among Group 2 men with increasing duration of trial.Conclusion:The strength data generated would aid in work schedule design. Strength forecasting model would assist in developing engineering guidelines in the design of tools at workplace.