Track: Human Factors and Ergonomics

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to serve as pilot investigation to identify the level of ergonomic risk among the workers of a garments manufacturing industry. The study was conducted for both male (54) and female (26) workers working in two different departments - stitching and finishing.  Both direct observation and questionnaire were used to collect data. The cumulative scores of discomfort for each body part as well as for each worker were calculated. The lower back was found to be at the highest risk as compared to other body parts. Female workers had higher score of discomfort (mean = 2.9615, S.D = 1.3931) as compared to their male counterparts (mean = 1.2693, S.D = 0.6538). Similarly, standing workers suffered more discomfort (mean = 2.7272, S.D = 1.3090) as compared to sitting workers (mean = 1.0909, S.D = 0.3784). However, the number of years at job was not found to be related with the level of discomfort. For objective assessment, rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) was used to analyze sitting posture and rapid entire body assessment (REBA) for standing posture. No worker received acceptable score for both of these assessment tools. The mean RULA score was 5.25 and mean REBA score was 5. The results of this study necessitate a company-wide ergonomic assessment immediately.