Assessment of ergonomic practices in garment production workshops in madina, accra and their impact on output.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to assess the ergonomic practices of garment producers in Madina, Accra. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 100 registered members of the Madina Branch of the Tailors and Dressmakers Association. The results were hand-coded and presented using frequency and percentage distributions, pie and bar charts. The chi-square statistic was used to test the hypothesis. The respondents were aged between 19 and 44 years. Eighty-one per cent were females and 19% were males. Sixty-six per cent had completed first cycle education, 32% second cycle and only one had had tertiary education. Seat heights (63%), seat width (49%) and seat depth (43%) did not meet recommended ergonomic standards of seat attributes for a sewing workshop. Eighty-three used seats with no backrest, 87% had unpadded seats while none had adjustable seat. Even though noise level, vision, lighting system and colour o f walls were described as comfortable, the researcher observed the noise level to be more than the level reported. Those who described thermal comfort and ventilation as uncomfortable were 72% and 54% respectively. The respondents appeared to have limited knowledge of ergonomic features and practices, since the structural changes desired by 90% did not reflect ergonomic changes in their workshops. Hazards observed resulted from neck twisting and bending (92%), prolonged sitting without adequate back support (83%), bending of torso (62%), repeated motion (95%) and static motions (57%). The majority o f the respondents (80%) never experienced pains in the hip, ankle/feet, thighs and wrist. However, 60-74% experienced pain in the lower back, neck, upper back and shoulders occasionally, frequently and daily while 15%-25% described their discomfort as slightly painful, and 37%-60% described it as severely painful. The chi-square statistic indicated 1 no relationship between the time spent seated at work and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in neck, shoulder, lower back and upper back. Production rate of the respondents would increase by two and in some cases three times for different types o f garments should ergonomic conditions improve in the workshops. It is suggested that the National Tailors and Dressmakers Association should organize seminars or workshops for its members to discuss the problem of ergonomics. As an organization, it should serve as a focal point for efforts to initiate ergonomic changes and training within the industry. If practitioners are to emphasize ergonomic principles, there will be the need to inject heavy capital into the industry in order to procure the machinery and other facilities of set standards. The government should set up a body that will enforce compliance with government regulations and international standards on the garment industry to make the President’s initiative for garment production and export a reality.