Ergonomics

ERGONOMICS

AMALESH DEKA

ALOK LIEVENS

RAJEEV SHARAN

DEPARTMENT OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY

STITCHING INVOLVES :•Taking cut material,•Placing it on the sewing mount, •Running it through a sewing machine.

MAJOR PROBLEMS:

PRIMARY CONSIDERATIONS:

•Adjustable chair in height, seat tilt, and backrest position.•Padded Backrest (requires more bending)

•Facilitate the necessary work and support the worker’s spine.•Provides straight sitting posture with combined ease in treadle.•Easy foot movement (since low stitch length is required for label attachment)

•Angle of knee is slight greater than 90.

• A moveable treadle fixed on a traverse. • provides an opportunity to move the traverse to the far edge of the table in order to permit the worker to have a comfortable leg position.

•Sufficient space under the table facilitates •the optimal position for feet movement.•avoid excessive bending of the upper body (because label attachment requires higher concentration).

•The fitting of the table base and thus the working height of the table top has been fixed in a way so that the worker can sit in an upright position and can reach and see all work areas, especially the sewing needle (because operator has to access wide area for determining the required label box)

Due to necessity of frequent material handling of very short intervals, the operator needs rest for arms.•The worker will be able to comfortably rest their forearms without pressure on a large working area

•useful for long and uniform sewing tasks and by high volume.•a self-made or a purchased kit to the top of the sewing table for arm support will be useful.

Restricted viewing of the sewing area, by the head of the sewing machine, can cause awkward positions during label attachment.

•Viewing distance between the head and the needle.

•small pieces and fine work approx. 30 cm and

•The head should be inclined forward at a max. 25°

WINDOW

OVERHEAD LIGHTS

•When setting up the sewing machine, the direction of view should be parallel to the front of the window and the ceiling light strips.•The ambient lighting should provide sufficient brightness in the work area (e. g. ceiling lighting, 500 lux).•Additional lighting or lighting on the workplace should be arranged in order to avoid high contrasts (differences in brightness).

Knee Switches• Place the knee switch so that it rests very close to the leg, just above the knee, and is well padded.

Hand Controls• Ensure controls are located in a convenient position without being in the way. • Controls should be activated with a light touch applied at multiple angles.

Repetitive Strain Reduction:•Work should be organized such that operators get up from their workstation to pick up their next work order.•Repetitive strain can be reduced when operators assemble large parts or full garments. This decreases repetition and increases variability and skill. Set reasonable limits for bundle sizes.

Psychological Factors:•If it is prolonged or particularly intense it can lead to physical effects (such as heart disease and gastrointestinal disturbances leading to ulcers) and psychological effects (such as anxiety and depression).

Solutions:•Provide regular training and up-gradation programs to operators.•Allocate tasks according to workers skills, training and experience.•Improve methods of doing work.•Introduce ways to relieve stress such as:

• Play light music on the floor•Make cool drinking water available for workers.

•Introduce motivation tools.• Train supervisors and managers in ways and tools for creating a healthy and comfortable work environment

A frame which allows to adjust the height of the sewing machine, fulfils the requirements for an optimal sewing workstation and also allows to change between sitting and standing thereby reducing one-sided and mainly static posture.

REFERENCE:

•Ergonomics study material compiled by Mr. Rajesh Patel, NIFT.