Ergonomics

BYROHIT TUDU
VICKY KUMAR
BFT-VII

Proposed Workstation :Sewing Room-Label Attachment

Operation Involves

Taking cut material

Put it on sewing machine

Put the label

Running it through sewing machine

Major Problems Involved

Restless arms

Restricted work area

Repetitive motions

Excessive bending

Primary Considerations

Chair & Posture

Treadle and leg room

Correct height of table

Armrest

Visibility and tilt-adjustable table

Lighting and surroundings

Chair and posture

Potential Hazards that can occur :

Workers often maintain awkward shoulder, elbow, and wrist postures

while sewing because of improper chair height or position.

Employees must sit or stand for long periods in the same position,
resulting in soreness of the back and neck, and/or buttocks, and
reduced circulation to the legs.

Chair and posture

Possible solutions:

Chairs should have easily adjustable height, seat tilt, and backrest
position

Padded back rest with rounded edges that supports worker's lower
back

A cushioned or contoured seat

Chair should be placed at appropriate distance from the

workstation.

Provide training on importance of breaks to help reduce injuries.

Provide anti fatigue mats

Treadle and leg room

Potential hazards :

Employees operating a treadle for prolonged periods must maintain

awkward and unbalanced posture

Employees required to apply a constant treadle force must maintain

static lower extremity postures

Workers may also maintain poor posture if treadle is too close or too
far away

Treadle and leg room

Possible solutions :

Design treadle to require less force, allowing the use of a sit/stand

workstation

When feasible, use hip switches or redesigned foot treadles to

eliminate the need to apply constant standing pressure

Provide adjustable treadle so the worker can place it in a

comfortable position and get as close to the table as possible

Table height
Potential hazards :

Workers maintain awkward shoulder, elbow, and wrist postures while

sewing because of improper table height

Employees resting forearms or wrists on sharp edges may cut off

blood circulation, pinch nerves, and cause injury to the arms or
hands

Table height
Possible solutions :

Provide both height- and tilt-adjustable tables

Tables should be adjusted so the work is at elbow height and wrists

are kept straight

The table should also be high enough to allow room underneath for
the worker's legs

Tables may be tilted slightly toward workers

Edges of work surfaces should be padded or rounded, so workers

can rest their arms against them

Armrest
Potential Hazard :

Armrests that are not adjustable, or those that have not been
properly adjusted, may expose you to awkward postures or fail to
provide adequate support.

If there is a uneven height of armrest it can result in :

Uneven and awkward postures

Muscle Tension and Fatigue

Restricted movements

Armrest
Possible solutions :

If it cant be adjusted remove it or dont use it

Position adjustable armrests so they support your lower arm and

allow your upper arm to remain close to the torso

Armrests should be large enough to support most of your lower arm

but small enough so they do not interfere with chair positioning

Armrests should be made of a soft material and have rounded

edges

VISIBILITY & TILT-ADJUSTABLE

FEATURE OF TABLE
Potential hazards :

Restricted viewing of the sewing area, by the head of the sewing

machine, can cause awkward positions during label attachment

When viewing of the sewing area is restricted by the head of the

sewing machine, it can cause awkward and excessive stopping

VISIBILITY & TILT-ADJUSTABLE

FEATURE OF TABLE
Possible solutions :

Viewing distance between the head and the needle for small
pieces and fine work approx. 30 cm.

The head should be inclined forward at a max. 25

New sewing tables can be tilted to improve the visibility of work area

To obtain a slight tilt to the table, we can install a wedge between

the table top and the base

Lightning and surrounding

Potential hazards :

Improper lighting can result in workers getting stressed.

Lightning and surrounding

Possible solutions :

When setting up the sewing machine, the direction of view should

be parallel to the front of the window and the ceiling light strips.

The ambient lighting should provide sufficient brightness in the work

area (e. g. ceiling lighting, 500 lux).

Additional lighting or lighting on the workplace should be arranged

in order to avoid high contrasts (differences in brightness).

It is recommended to have a minimum illumination of 1000 lux in the

sewing area.

Other considerations
Repetitive work reduction :Solution :

Work should be organized such that operators get up from

their workstation to pick up their next work order.

Repetitive strain can be reduced when operators

assemble large parts or full garments. This decreases
repetition and increases variability and skill. Set reasonable
limits for bundle sizes.

Psychological Factors
Potential Hazards :

If it is prolonged or particularly intense it can lead to physical effects

(such as heart disease and gastrointestinal disturbances leading to
ulcers) and psychological effects (such as anxiety and depression).

Psychological Factors
Possible solutions :

Provide regular training and up-gradation programs to operators.

Allocate tasks according to workers skills, training and experience.

Improve methods of doing work.

Introduce ways to relieve stress such as:

Play light music on the floor

Make cool drinking water available for workers.

Introduce motivation tools.

Reference

Stop the Pain! A Workers' Guide to Job Design. Union of Needle

trades, Industrial and Textile Employees

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/sewing/stitching.html

Ergonomic Challenges in Conventional and Advanced Apparel

Manufacturing by Georgia Tech Occupational Safety and Heath
Program

THANK YOU!