Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders for Garments-Making Employees at Sewing Workplace
Abstract
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) have become one of the main problems in the working environment, and it increases employees’ risk of illness. This health problem, however, may contribute to the long-run effects on production performance. The aim of this paper, therefore, was to assess the work-related MSDs for garments-making employees at the sewing workplace, Rivatex East Africa Limited (REAL), Eldoret, Kenya. In order to determine the working postures and identification of the hazard and risk factors of the MSD system depending on the working posture. Rapid Entire Body Analysis (REBA) was used to assess the ergonomic work-related MSDs. The analysis results of employee posture for the existing sewing workplace had a final REBA score of 5, which meant that there was a medium ergonomic risk of MSDs and changes needed. In conclusion, the findings from this paper showed that the existing sewing workplace at the REAL factory needs to be redesigned in order to reduce awkward postures and anthropometric mismatches to lower MSD problems and improve productivity among employees.
Keywords:
MSDs, Working environment, REBA, Ergonomic risk, REAL factoryReferences
- [1] González-Muñoz, E. L., & Chaurand, R. Á. (2015). Analysis of the role of job stress in the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms, related with ergonomic factors. Procedia manufacturing, 3(12), 4964–4970. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2015.07.642
- [2] Ebara, T., Khuvasanont, T., Krungkraiwong, S., Amornratanapaichit, R., Tachi, N., Takeyama, H., … & Itani, T. (2007). Impact of ISO/TS 20646-1 “ergonomic procedures for the improvement of local muscular workloads” on work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Industrial health, 45(2), 256–267. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.45.256
- [3] Bell, A. F., & Steele, J. R. (2012). Risk of musculoskeletal injury among cleaners during vacuuming. Ergonomics, 55(2), 237–247. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2011.592605
- [4] Morse, T., Dillon, C., Kenta‐Bibi, E., Weber, J., Diva, U., Warren, N., & Grey, M. (2005). Trends in work‐related musculoskeletal disorder reports by year, type, and industrial sector: A capture‐recapture analysis. American journal of industrial medicine, 48(1), 40-49.
- [5] https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.20182
- [6] Boschman, J. S., Frings-Dresen, M. H. W., & Van Der Molen, H. F. (2015). Use of ergonomic measures related to musculoskeletal complaints among construction workers: A 2-year follow-up study. Safety and health at work, 6(2), 90–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2014.12.003
- [7] Tebyetekerwa, M., Akankwasa, N. T., & Marriam, I. (2017). The current working conditions in ugandan apparel assembly plants. Safety and health at work, 8(4), 378–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2017.01.005
- [8] Gandavadi, A., Ramsay, J. R. E., & Burke, F. J. T. (2007). Assessment of dental student posture in two seating conditions using RULA methodology-A pilot study. British dental journal, 203(10), 601–605. https://doi.org/10.1038/bdj.2007.1047
- [9] Asadi, N., Choobineh, A., Keshavarzi, S., & Daneshmandi, H. (2015). A comparative assessment of manual load lifting using NIOSH equation and WISHA index methods in industrial workers of shiraz city. Journal health sci surveillance sys january, 3(1), 8–12. https://jhsss.sums.ac.ir/article_42767.html
- [10] Bao, S., Howard, N., Spielholz, P., & Silverstein, B. (2007). Two posture analysis approaches and their application in a modified rapid upper limb assessment evaluation. Ergonomics, 50(12), 2118–2136. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130701458230
- [11] Dahibhate, G., Shinde, R., & Sakle, N. (2023). The use of digital human modeling in ergonomic design and product development. Journal of the institution of engineers (India): series C, 104(5), 1133–1138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40032-023-00982-5
- [12] Chen, J., Qiu, J., & Ahn, C. (2017). Construction worker’s awkward posture recognition through supervised motion tensor decomposition. Automation in construction, 77, 67–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.01.020
- [13] Braganca, S., Arezes, P., Carvalho, M., & Ashdown, S. (2014). 3D anthropometric data collection for occupational ergonomics purposes: A review. In Occupational safety and hygiene II (p. 393). CRC Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/b16490-70
- [14] Kebede Deyyas, W., & Tafese, A. (2014). 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, 2014(1), 732731.
- [15] https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/732731
- [16] Fazi, H. M., Mohamed, N. M. Z. N., Rashid, M. F. F. A., & Rose, A. N. M. (2016). Ergonomics study for workers at food production industry. MATEC web of conferences (Vol. 90, p. 1003). EDP Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/20179001003
- [17] Dimberg, L., Goldoni Laestadius, J., Ross, S., & Dimberg, I. (2015). The changing face of office ergonomics. The ergonomics open journal, 8(1), 38–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1875934301508010038
- [18] Deros, B. M., Yusoff, A. R. M., Ismail, S. J., & Daruis, D. D. I. (2016). Optimizing workstation design for standing work system in an electronics assembly work. Iranian journal of public health, 45(1), 17–24. https://doaj.org/article/ee492f8606e04408a34eedb37fc63d56
- [19] Eswaramoorthi, M., John, M., Rajagopal, C. A., Prasad, P. S. S., & Mohanram, P. V. (2010). Redesigning assembly stations using ergonomic methods as a lean tool. Work, 35(2), 231–240. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-2010-0975
- [20] Parimalam, P., Kamalamma, N., & Ganguli, A. K. (2006). Ergonomic interventions to improve work environment in garment manufacturing units. Indian journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 10(2), 74–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0019-5278.27304
- [21] Martins, L., Ribeiro, B., Almeida, R., Pereira, H., Jesus, A., Quaresma, C., & Vieira, P. (2016). Optimization of sitting posture classification based on anthropometric data. International conference on health informatics (Vol. 6, pp. 406-413). SCITEPRESS. http://dx.doi.org/10.5220/0005790104060413
- [22] Merino-Salazar, P., Artazcoz, L., Cornelio, C., Iñiguez, M. J. I., Rojas, M., Martínez-Iñigo, D., … & Benavides, F. G. (2017). Work and health in Latin America: results from the working conditions surveys of Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Central America and Uruguay. Occupational and environmental medicine, 74(6), 432–439. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2016-103899
- [23] Marshall, M. M., & Armstrong, T. J. (2004). Observational assessment of forceful exertion and the perceived force demands of daily activities. Journal of occupational rehabilitation, 14(4), 281–294. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOOR.0000047430.22740.57
- [24] Gómez-Galán, M., Pérez-Alonso, J., Callejón-Ferre, Á. J., & López-Martínez, J. (2017). Musculoskeletal disorders: OWAS review. Industrial health, 55(4), 314-337. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.2016-0191
- [25] Vujica Herzog, N., & Buchmeister, B. (2015). The review of ergonomics analysis for body postures assessment. Katalinic B, editor, 153-164. http://dx.doi.org/10.2507/daaam.scibook.2015.14
- [26] Sha, Z. A., Amjad, A., Ashraf, M., Mushtaq, F., & Sheikh, I. (2016). Ergonomic risk factors for workers in garments manufacturing–A case study from Pakistan. Proceedings–international conference on industrial engineering and operations management (pp. 2580-2584). https://ieomsociety.org/ieom_2016/pdfs/291.pdf
- [27] Felipe, J., & McCombie, J. (2002). Why are some countries richer than others? A reassessment of Mankiw-Romer-Weil’s test of the neoclassical growth model. ERD working paper series, 81(19), 1–27.
- [28] http://hdl.handle.net/11540/1931
- [29] Rana, N. K., Shah, A. A., Iqbal, R., & Khanzode, V. (2022). Technology enabled ergonomic design: select proceedings of HWWE 2020. Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-16-6982-8
- [30] Ning, X., Alessa, F., Almuhaidib, I., & Madinei, S. (2016). Ergonomic improvements applied in a steel manufacturing facility. Iron and steel technology, 13(11), 34–38. B2n.ir/m19112
- [31] Mohamad, D., Md Deros, B., Ismail, A. R., Daruis, D. D. I., & Sukadarin, E. H. (2013). RULA analysis of work-related disorder among packaging industry worker using digital human modeling (DHM). In Advanced engineering forum (Vol. 10, pp. 9-15). Trans Tech Publications Ltd. https://www.scientific.net/AEF.10.9
- [32] Halpern, C. A., & Dawson, K. D. (1997). Design and implementation of a participatory ergonomics program for machine sewing tasks. International journal of industrial ergonomics, 20(6), 429-440. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-8141(96)00070-4
- [33] Shah, Z. A., Amjad, A., Ashraf, M., Mushtaq, F., & Sheikh, I. A. (2016). Prevalence of musculoskeletal problems and awkward posture in a Pakistani garments manufacturing industry. Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 1, 75-79. B2n.ir/u72485
- [34] Kvs, R., & Subramanya, K. N. (2014). Ergonomic Evaluation of the Work Stations in a Garment Manufacturing Industry-an Exploratory Study. International journal of mechanical and production engineering, (24), 2320–2092. https://B2n.ir/m70733
- [35] Norhidayah, M. S., Nik Mohamed, N. M. Z., Mansor, M. A., & Ismail, A. R. (2016). RULA: Postural loading assessment tools for Malaysia mining industry. Journal of engineering science and technology, 11(4), 1–8. https://myjurnal.mohe.gov.my/public/article-view.php?id=101977
- [36] Esmaeel, A., Starovoytova, D., & Ochola, J. (2024). Design and simulation ergonomically sewing chair for garment manufacturing workers. Innovative systems design and engineering, 14(1), 67–87. https://doi.org/10.7176/ISDE/14-1-07
- [37] Saguyod, P. J. V., Villapando, A. C., & Gumasing, M. J. J. (2021). An ergonomic workstation design for apparel manufacturing workers in the Philippines. Proceedings of the international conference on industrial engineering and operations management, 2497–2504. https://doi.org/10.46254/an11.20210467
- [38] Esmaeel, A., Starovoytova, D., Nziu, P., & Ochola, J. (2024). Work-Related Risks and Hazards for Garment Making Workers at Sewing Workstations: A Review. Innovative systems design and engineering, 14(1), 48–66. https://doi.org/10.7176/ISDE/14-1-06
- [39] Sealetsa, O. J., & Thatcher, A. (2011). Ergonomics issues among sewing machine operators in the textile manufacturing industry in Botswana. Work, 38(3), 279–289. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-2011-1131
- [40] Ahmed, F. (2018). Improving workplace safety through ergonomic intervention- A case study of a readymade garment industry. Bangladesh university of engineering & technology. http://lib.buet.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5037
- [41] Leilanie Del Prado-Lu, J. (2004). Risk factors to musculoskeletal disorders and anthropometric measurements of filipino manufacturing workers. International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics, 10(4), 349–359. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2004.11076618
- [42] Habib, M. M. (2015). Ergonomic risk factor identification for sewing machine operators through supervised occupational therapy fieldwork in Bangladesh: A case study. Work, 50(3), 357-362. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-151991
- [43] Deros, B. M., Khamis, N. K., Ismail, A. R., Jamaluddin, H., Adam, A. M., & Rosli, S. (2011). An ergonomics study on assembly line workstation design. American journal of applied sciences, 8(11), 1195–1201. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2011.1195.1201
- [44] Wang, P. C., Harrison, R. J., Yu, F., Rempel, D. M., & Ritz, B. R. (2010). Follow‐up of neck and shoulder pain among sewing machine operators: The Los Angeles garment study. American journal of industrial medicine, 53(4), 352-360. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.20790
- [45] Hamid, A., Ahmad, A. S., Dar, S., Sohail, S., Akram, F., & Qureshi, M. I. (2018). Ergonomics hazards and musculoskeletal disorders among workers of health care facilities. Current world environment, 13(2), 251-258. https://doi.org/10.12944/cwe.13.2.10
- [46] Sharan, D., & Ajeesh, P. S. (2012). Correlation of ergonomic risk factors with RULA in IT professionals from India. Work, 41(Supplement 1), 512-515. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-2012-0205-512
- [47] Burgess-Limerick, R. (2018). Participatory ergonomics: Evidence and implementation lessons. Applied ergonomics, 68, 289-293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2017.12.009
- [48] Patil, G. G., Yadav, R., Nadiger, V. G., Raichurkar, P. P., Chandrakar, K., & Chandurkar, P. (2017). Textile apparel industry: A responsibilty towards manpower. Colourage, 64(6), 38–46. https://B2n.ir/e36746
- [49] Al Madani, D., & Dababneh, A. (2016). Rapid entire body assessment: A literature review. American journal of engineering and applied sciences, 9(1), 107–118. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajeassp.2016.107.118
- [50] Hambali, R. H., Rahim, S. A. A., Azizan, N., Zali, Z., Akmal, S., & Zin, M. H. (2019). Analysis the awkward posture ergonomic risk and workstation improvement simulation in mechanical assembly manufacturing industry using delmiav5. IOP conference series: materials science and engineering (Vol. 705, p. 012044). IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/705/1/012044
- [51] Iriondo Pascual, A., Högberg, D., Syberfeldt, A., Brolin, E., & Hanson, L. (2020). Optimizing ergonomics and productivity by connecting digital human modeling and production flow simulation software. SPS2020 (pp. 193–204). IOS Press. https://doi.org/ 10.3233/ATDE200157
- [52] Hignett, S., & McAtamney, L. (1995). Rapid entire body assessment (REBA). Applied ergonomics, 31, 201-205. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-6870(99)00039-3
- [53] Ansari, N. A., & Sheikh, D. M. J. (2014). Evaluation of work posture by RULA and REBA: A case study. IOSR journal of mechanical and civil engineering, 11(4), 18–23. https://doi.org/10.9790/1684-11431823
- [54] Wibowo, A. H., & Mawadati, A. (2021). The analysis of employees’ work posture by using rapid entire body assessment (REBA) and rapid upper limb assessment (RULA). IOP conference series: earth and environmental science, 704(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/704/1/012022
- [55] Jadhav, G. S., Shinde, G., Sawant, S. M., & Jamadar, V. (2014). Ergonomic evaluation tools rula and reba analysis: case study. Conference: national conference on industrial engineering and technology managementat. NITIE. B2n.ir/k16860
- [56] Mercado, S. M. (2015). Ergonomic design measures on work process and workplace layout in the selected structural and fabrication shops. Asia pacific journal of multidisciplinary research, 3(4), 86–97. https://www.apjmr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/APJMR-2015-3.4.3.11.pdf
- [57] Isler, M., Küçük, M., & Guner, M. (2018). Ergonomic assessment of working postures in clothing sector with scientific observation methods. International journal of clothing science and technology, 30(6), 757–771. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCST-06-2017-0084
- [58] Beatrix, M. E. (2021). Analysis of rapid entire body assessment ( REBA ) & nordic body map ( NBM ) methods to reduce low back pain ( LBP ) in the stamping and tooling company. IOSR journal of reserach & method in education, 11(2), 49–54. https://doi.org/10.9790/7388-1102034954
- [59] McAtamney, L., & Hignett, S. (2004). Rapid entire body assessment. Handbook of human factors and ergonomics methods, 31, 8-1-8–11. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203489925.ch8
- [60] Fan, C., Mei, Q., Yang, Q., & Li, X. (2022). Computer-vision based rapid entire body analysis (REBA) estimation. Modular and offsite construction (MOC) summit proceedings, 90–97. https://doi.org/10.29173/mocs269
- [61] Lawlor, C. E., & Hamilton, D. (2007). T71 The use of rapid entire body assessment (REBA) for the quantification of manual handling risks. Nuclear medicine communications, 28(3), A38. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006231-200703000-00145
- [62] Hepsiba, P. Sh. & Gnanaraj, D. (2009). Computer aided rapid entire body assessment (CAREBA). Conference: international ergonomics conference humanizing work and work environmentat: university of calcutta, india. University of Calcutta, Press. B2n.ir/t37213
- [63] Kusuma, T. Y. T. (2020). Analysis of body posture using rapid entire body assessment (REBA) and rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) to improve the posture of sand paper machine operators and reduce the risk of low back pain. Biology, medicine, & natural product chemistry, 9(1), 21–25. https://doi.org/10.14421/biomedich.2020.91.21-25
- [64] Ahmad, A., Javed, I., Abrar, U., Ahmad, A., Jaffri, N. R., & Hussain, A. (2021). Investigation of ergonomic working conditions of sewing and cutting machine operators of clothing industry. Industria textila, 72(3), 309–314. https://doi.org/10.35530/IT.072.03.1723