Analysis of Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk in Cotton Garment Industry Workers

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (wMSDs) are common workplace health hazard among sewing, ironing and packing workers, which can be caused by the manual and repetitive work in the garment industry. This research evaluates and categories the risk variables for 63 people took part in the Musculoskeletal Disorders study for garment material protection. The primary goal of this research is to determine the prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) and to reduce their risk. The data were gathered using a questionnaire and an observational checklist, and the risk was calculated using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) approach and human postures were captured by camera for analysis. Reported musculoskeletal symptoms occurring in sewing, packing, ironing are lower back pain (50%, 61.5%, 42.5%), knee (30%, 15.3%, 27.5%), wrist pain (20%, 23%, 20%), shoulder pain (40%, 46.15%, 27.5%) and neck pain (40%, 23%, 32.5%), respectively, and ironing workers reported calf pain of 52.5% were the most common sites of pain. It is critical that awkward posture, uncomfortable movements, prolonged standing, and other factors contributed to an increase in worker risk while protecting garments.

Keywords

• musculoskeletal disorders
• occupational risk
• health hazards
• garment industry
• rapid entire body assessment
• rapid upper limb assessment