Physiological stresses among women workers in hosiery units of Ludhiana

Women workers in an unorganized work sector like hosiery units deserve special emphasis in view of the double burden of work. The present study was conducted to assess physical profile and cardiovascular responses of selected hosiery workers while at work. Survey was conducted on 120 hosiery workers and field experiments were conducted on 40 workers. Results revealed that most of them (69) were of normal body type, but had general weakness, visual and mobility impairment. There was an increase of 12.99 percent in heart rate of the subjects after doing thread cutting, button stitching and hemming for 30 minutes. Percentage increase in diastolic pressure was 2.43, in systolic pressure 3.22, in pulse pressure 4.73, and in energy expenditure the increase was 46.60 per cent. Total cardiac cost of work was recorded to be 318.92 beats and physiological cost was 10.63 beats/minute. Keeping in view steady rise in their cardiovascular responses, there is a need for further investigation and intervention.