Visual and Musculoskeletal Problems among Sewing Machine Operators in a Readymade Garment Industry

Neeraja Telaprolu; Metta Siresha

Volume : V, Issue : X, October - 2016

Visual and Musculoskeletal Problems among Sewing Machine Operators in a Readymade Garment Industry

Neeraja Telaprolu, Metta Siresha

Abstract :

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of sewing machine operation and work station design on visual and musculoskeletal problems of sewing machine operators by gender and describe working conditions. The study was a comparative cross–sectional study of musculoskeletal and visual symptoms in 100 sewing machine operators, an age and gender matched control group. Compared to control group a significant higher proportion of the subjects experienced visual fatigue, burning/ te�, neck pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain and lower back pain. A statistically significant difference between males and females was observed in visual fatigue, blurred vision, double vision, neck pain, elbow pain, wrist pain and finger pain. Blurred vision and double vision were common in males, while the rest of the symptoms were not common in females. Two thirds of the work stations observed were found to be inappropriate. The posture adopted by the operators was unsatisfactory. Operation of sewing machine in readymade garment industry was found to be associated with occurrence of visual and musculoskeletal symptoms. Suitable workstation design in the garment industry is recommended to ensure safety to workers.