Ergonomic risk factor identification for sewing machine operators through supervised occupational therapy fieldwork in Bangladesh: A case study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many sewing machine operators are working with high risk factors for musculoskeletal health in the garments industries in Bangladesh. OBJECTIVE: To identify the physical risk factors among sewing machine operators in a Bangladeshi garments factory. PARTICIPANTS: Sewing machine operators (327, 83% female), were evaluated. The mean age of the participants was 25.25 years. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Six ergonomic risk factors were determined using the Musculoskeletal Disorders risk assessment. Data collection included measurements of sewing machine table and chair heights; this data was combined with information from informal interviews. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Significant ergonomic risk factors found included the combination of awkward postures of the neck and back, repetitive hand and arm movements, poor ergonomic workstations and prolonged working hours without adequate breaks; these risk factors resulted in musculoskeletal complaints, sick leave, and switching jobs. CONCLUSIONS: One aspect of improving worker health in garment factories includes addressing musculoskeletal risk factors through ergonomic interventions.

Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and ergonomic risk assessment among readymade garment workers of Bangladesh: A cross sectional study

“…Despite being a signatory member of the International labour Organization (ILO), the RMG sector in Bangladesh underway though in slow pace to ensure ILO conventions such as eight hours work, weekly holiday and minimum wages [ 45 , 46 ]. Interestingly, due to pressure by the buyers, reputable RMG factory owners of Bangladesh are now trying to improve the quality of the health and safety of the workers [ 20 ].…”

“…Therefore, ergonomic interventions and corrective measures are necessary to improve the working conditions and decrease the exposure level to musculoskeletal disorders. One aspect of improving worker’s health in garment factories includes addressing WMSDs risk factors through ergonomic interventions [ 20 ], a low cost solution that was successfully implemented previously in Bangladesh [ 18 ]. Evidence also showed that exercises in the work place are effective in reducing the severity from low back pain [ 61 ].…”

“…There is a dearth of literature regarding WMSDs including ergonomic assessment of RMG worker’s exposure to risk factors for the development of WMSDs. Only a limited number of studies from Bangladesh [ 17 – 20 ] reported musculoskeletal disorders and work related ergonomic risk factors despite heterogeneous tools used. The aim of this study was to measure prevalence of WMSDs in nine body regions (neck, shoulders, upper back, elbows, wrist/hand, lower back, hips/thighs, knees and ankles/feet) among RMG workers in Bangladesh and ergonomic assessment of their exposure to risk factors for the development of WMSDs.…”

Physical environmental and occupational factors inducing work-related neck and shoulder pains among self-employed tailors of informal sectors in Ethiopia, 2019: results from a community based cross-sectional study

“…Tailors usually perform monotonous and repetitive jobs involving prolonged sitting [ 16 ] and frequent movements of the upper extremities [ 17 , 18 ]. Scholars have demonstrated that upper extremity disorders such as shoulders and necks are prevalent in jobs performed in prolonged sitting positions [ 19 , 20 ]. For instance,in a study in Iran, the prevalence of 49.7and 41.6% has been reported in neck and shoulder, respectively [ 21 ].…”

Assessment of Ergonomic Risks for Textile Sector Employees with Analytical Network Process

“…Dikiş operasyonu, statik oturma pozisyonu, baş ve gövdenin öne doğru eğimli duruşu ve nispeten rahatsız olan ayak bileği ve diz açıları ile karakterize edilir (Gahlot vd., 2016). Dikiş makinesi operatörlerinin maruz kaldığı fiziksel risk faktörleri arasında boyun ve sırtın uygunsuz duruşlarının kombinasyonu, tekrarlayan el ve kol hareketleri, zayıf ergonomik iş istasyonları ve yeterli molalar olmaksızın uzun çalışma saatleri oluşturmaktadır (Habib, 2015). Bireyin bel, boyun, omuz ve sırt ağrıları gibi sorunlarının daha çok sürekli oturma, öne eğilme ve ayarlanamayan oturma malzemelerinden kaynaklanan problemler olduğu görülmektedir.…”