ENGINEERED WORKSPACE FOR SEWING OPERATOR Ankita Raj | Pooja Kushwaha
The process involves: 1. Taking the cut material,
Sewing Operation
2. Placing it on the sewing mount
3. Then running it through the sewing machine
This operation may require: Awkward arm posture Forces for pedal movements Neck posture Trunk postures
Micro Factor
1. Moving Materials to/from Workstation
Steps involve in stitching
3. Manipulating Material
2. Stiching the product
4. Stitching Material
Moving material to/from Workstation
Potential Hazards
The workers reach Overhead
to the side
This action can cause stress on -
• Arms • Necks • Shoulders, and • Back Workers also bend or twist to pick fabric in the line which causes a severe back injury Behind
to pick up or place fabric
Stiching the product
Potential Hazards • •
Lighting Eye pressure
Workers may have to •
Flex, or Bend, their neck to view the position of the fabric.
Manipulating Material
Potential Hazards
While manipulating fabric -
Employees repeatedly use a forceful pinch grip between the thumb and index finger.
Stitching Material
Potential Hazards
Employees push fabric through the sewing machine, which may require • • •
Extending arms, Bending at the waist, and Applying force
The employees encounter several risk factors at the workstations, which are:
Workstatio n of the Sewing Operator
● ● ● ●
Awkward neck Arm, Trunk, and Leg postures
These postures are basically the result of physique of the worker and the designs of workstations.
The design of the workstation largely depends on ● ● ●
The position of the organisation, Involvement of the stakeholders, and Staffs placed in upper hierarchy.
The workstation includes several components, major of them are ● ● ● ●
Chair Table Tools and Equipment Treadle/Paddle
Sewing Operator Chair
Potential Hazards
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
•
Reduced circulation to the legs.
Sewing Operator Table
Potential Hazards
•Adjustable according to the height of the sewing operator. •The tables have sharp edges -
When the workers rest their forearms or wrists over table, it may cut off blood circulation, pinch nerves and many times also cause injury to the arms or hands.
Tools and Equipment
Scissor
Marking chalk
Pen
Thread cutter
Measuring tape
Treadle/Paddle
Potential Hazards For sit down work • • •
The table should also be high enough to allow room underneath for the worker's legs. The tabletop should not press on the worker's thighs. Workers who use a treadle need more room than those who don't so they can move their legs more easily.
Employees operating a treadle for a longer period of time maintain an awkward and unbalanced posture which may cause injury and other disorders The workers need to apply a constant pressure with one leg.
SOLUTIONS...
Sewing Operator Chair
• • •
The height, seat tilt, and backrest position
should be easily adjustable Chair height is correct when the work surface is at elbow height. Should provide proper training to worker how to use ergonomic chair. The entire sole of the foot should rest on the floor The back of the knee should be slightly higher than the seat of the chair. The seat may be slightly lower when the worker uses a treadle or pedal The backrest should be padded with round edges to support the worker’s lower back.
•
The chair should not have wheels
•
The edges of the chair should be smooth in order to prevent it from hurting the workers.
•Frequent short breaks should be scheduled and the workers should be provided training on importance of breaks that would help to reduce injuries. •The backrest should be padded with round edges to support the worker’s lower back.
Sewing operator chair available in the market
US $56 - 75
US $10 - 30
US $56 - 75
Height adjustable chair
Back rest attached to the thinner rod No arm rest; Because most time operator put their hands on table Aluminium rod
Holes for screw tightening
Round edge for movement
Stiff base, no wheel So that chair don't move due to machine vibration Front View
Back View
Sewing Operator Table
The tables can also be made with adjustable height and tilt, which can help employees to work without using awkward postures. Tables should be adjusted so the work is at elbow height and wrists are kept straight. If the table is too low, workers will have to hunch forward, putting strain on • The back, • Neck, and • Shoulders If a table is too high, workers will have to rise their shoulders to get Tables may be tilted slightly toward workers, to enable them to see the work more easily and to reduce awkward wrist postures.
Sewing operator table available in the market
US $24 - 26
US $25
US $27
Height adjustable Table 10 degree Tilted surface for machine bed; So that the operator seat in straight position
Movable/slider Bin
Movable/slider Bin Wooden base Holes for screw tightening Aluminium rods
Front View
Side View
Wooden base
Loops for hanging clothes
10 degree Tilted surface for machine bed
Movable/slider Bin
Top View
Tools and material
Macro factor
Lightining and Illumination
As per the OSHA conventions , following points should be kept inconsideration for lighting factor • • •
Use adjustable task lighting to make it easier for the worker to see product during set up Ensure bulbs are replaced frequently so they are functional at all times. Provide properly positioned general overhead lighting. The luminance, Colour, The fabric type; varies in each workplace, for which the workers need an adjustable lighting source.
Osha’s recommendation
Employees face issues with lighting systems due to the use of different materials in different lighting conditions where materials vary according to the fabric type and their colours.
Ventilation
Suggestion
Ventilation refers to replacing stale air (plus any contaminants) with fresh air (or purified air in the case of air conditioners) at regular intervals. In order to improve the general ventilation in factory, here are a few steps • ventilation systems or free standing fans in the factory, to make sure that they increase the natural flow of air through the factory and not to blow air against any prevailing wind
Air flow diagram
• The hot, stale air that rises to the factory roof should easily be removed and replaced with fresh air • Fans should be well maintained and regularly cleaned so that they work efficiently;
For replacing the stale air
Noise
Potential Hazards
•cause stress and interfere with concentration thus affecting the ability to work. Over the long-term, this increase in stress can lead to a number of health problems including heart, stomach and nervous disorders. • Workers exposed to high noise levels often have difficulty in sleeping when they get home • Workers exposed to high noise levels suffer from what is known as noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) which can lead to a number of social problems.
Suggestion
Purchase “quieter” machines • Noisy parts of machines could be enclosed with soundproof casing. • Regular service and maintain of machines • Replace worn or defective machine parts • Reduce the vibration in component parts and casings. Mounting machines correctly on rubber mats or other damping material and that mounting bolts secured tightly can reduce vibration • Replace metal parts with others made of sound absorbing materials e.g. plastic or heavy duty rubber
Suggestions for controlling noise at workers level
• Fit mufflers on exhaust outlets and direct them away from the working area. Controlling the noise at the worker
Thank you.