O37-5 Individual and job related risk factors for musculoskeletal pain among sewing machine operators

Prevalence of neck-shoulder pain among sewing machine operators is well known. It may be due to the nature and incorrect posture used by sewing machine operators while performing sewing work. However, up till now there is no empirical evidence that can be used to relate the risk factors that would results towards the development of neck and shoulder pain among sewing machine operators. The main objective of this study is to identify and investigate the risk factors that result in neck and shoulder pain among Malaysian sewing machine operators. Twenty female sewing machine operators took part in answering a survey questionnaire to investigate the prevalence of neck and shoulder pain among sewing machine operators. The survey questionnaire was divided into five sections: socio-demographic, work background, workload information, physical exposures and physical musculoskeletal symptoms experienced by workers. Having done that, sewing machine operators who have been screened with neck and/or shoulder pain was evaluated with Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) to determine the level of workplace risk factors. Subjects without neck and/or shoulder pain were excluded. Results of the study shows that all sewing operators were expose to risk of prolonged sitting, repetitive task and working at high speed. Ninety five percent of sewing machine operators had experienced neck and/or shoulder pain and 80% of them were exposed to high work risk factors that require them to undergo further investigation. Shoulder pain was found to be strongly correlated with high work risk factor among sewing machine operators (p<0.05). In conclusion, occurrence of shoulder pain among sewing operators is due to posture and nature of sewing work.

Download Full-text

Individual and work related factors associated with symptoms of musculoskeletal complaints. II. Different risk factors among sewing machine operators.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oem.49.3.154 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 154-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

R H Westgaard ◽

T Jansen

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Musculoskeletal Complaints ◽

Related Factors ◽

Sewing Machine ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Work Related ◽

Machine Operators

Download Full-text

Environmental and Organizational Factors Associated with Elbow/Forearm and Hand/Wrist Disorder among Sewing Machine Operators of Garment Industry in Ethiopia

Journal of Environmental and Public Health ◽

10.1155/2014/732731 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Wakjira Kebede Deyyas ◽

Ararso Tafese

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Occupational Health ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Organizational Factors ◽

Musculoskeletal Symptom ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sewing Machine ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Work Related ◽

Machine Operators

Occupational health problems related to upper limp musculoskeletal disorders were the major issue among sewing machine operators of garment industries in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of work related elbow and wrist musculoskeletal disorders among sewing machine operators of garment industries in Galan City, Oromia Regional State. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to 30, 2012. A total of 422 study subjects were included in this study. Standard Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to collect detailed information on musculoskeletal symptom, sociodemographic data, and factors associated with the problems through face to face interview. From a total of 422 sewing machine operators included in the study 370 (87.7%) were females and 306 (72.5%) were in the age group of <30 years. The prevalence of self-reported work related elbow and wrist musculoskeletal disorders was 40% and 37.7%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, those who had >16 years of service were about five times more likely to develop elbow and wrist musculoskeletal disorders than those who had short (1–5 years) year of services [AOR = 4.7, 95% CI: 1.55–13.02], physical activities [AOR = 5.02, 95% CI: 1.57–16.00], and methods of payment [AOR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.23–3.28], factors significantly associated with this disorders. Work related elbow and wrist musculoskeletal disorders were high among sewing machine operators in selected garment industries. Moreover, personal and environmental factors were identified as the potential risk factors related to elbow and wrist musculoskeletal disorders among the study group. Therefore, government and the owner of the garment industries should give special attention to prevent and control the problems through proper occupational health and safety policy implementation in the country.

Download Full-text