Design Intervention in the Manually Push Cart Used for Carrying the Vegetables in Hyderabad

Vegetable vendors selling vegetables on pushcart are a common occupation in many states of India and also parts of the globe. The vendors push and pull loaded vegetable cart which approximately weighs 150–200 kgs through different road terrains. The small handle of the existing cart design is very difficult for pushing and turning purposes. Ten vegetable vendors were questioned regarding musculoskeletal problems at Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad. Among the vendors, hand, back, and shoulder were the more prevalent pain points compared to other body parts. The rapid entire body assessment (REBA) was used to analyze body posture while pushing cart. Results of REBA analysis show immediate ergonomic intervention in the vegetable cart design is need of the hour. Based on the identified problems, a new cart concept was developed following ergonomic principles. This new cart design will directly and indirectly impact a vast workforce involved with vegetable vending occupation.