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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Vol.1 Issue 3, July 2011, ISSN 2231 5780

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS AMONG MALE AND FEMALE SEWING MACHINE OPERATORS IN A GARMENT MANUFACTURING UNITS
NALINI CHANDRA*; DR( Mrs) RAZIA PARVEZ**

*Research Scholar, Deptt. of FRM, HSHS, SHIATS, Allahabad- 211007 **Associate Professor, Deptt. of FRM, HSHS, SHIATS, Allahabad- 211007

ABSTRACT A comparative study on male and female workers between 30-35 years of age was conducted regarding occupational hazards in garment manufacturing units located in Ghaziabad. The total sample size was 110 which comprised of 55 men and 55 women. The finding shows that maximum (54.5 per cent) of male and (45.4 per cent) of female workers faced problems due to amount and intensity of light, majority of (49.0 per cent) men and (36.3 per cent) women get injured with machine needles. It was found that the poorly designed workstations, unsuitable furniture, lack of ventilation, inappropriate lighting, excessive noise and lack of personal protective equipment are the main causes of occupational hazards.

INTRODUCTION The textile garment industry is at the forefront of the globalization process, where multinational investors continuously shift production from one part of the world to another in search of low wages and even more competitive locations. This has led to an increase in working hours and a substantial reduction in safety standards, especially in the newly industrialized countries. The occupational hazards are those hazards which are faced by the workers due to poor working environment. Parimalam et al. (2006) revealed that the congested work area, improper ventilation, dust, unergonomically designed workstation, excessive noise were the main constraints faced by the workers in garment manufacturing units. Noise and vibration are often found in textile settings, garment manufacturing units, and many other workplace environments where predominantly women work. Occupational noise exposure commonly results in hearing loss and distortion. Edith (2001) revealed that quality and type of lighting can have a significant impact on our health and comfort. Noise related hearing loss may result in distortion of sound, including auditory perception of sound of co-workers speech. The distortion of co-workers speech may result in miscommunication and an increased potential for accidental injury. Virkunnen (2005) found that long term follow up of industrially employed men, exposure to noise, especially to impulse noise, was associated with increase in Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) risk that persisted even after the workers had passed the age of retirement. The amount of the tools produced vibration that is transmitted to the hands and arms of the operator is influenced by (1) the grip force with which the tool is held and (2) the force applied by the operator holding the tool against the work piece Sakurai and Matoba (1986), Farkkila. Mironov,

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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Vol.1 Issue 3, July 2011, ISSN 2231 5780

et al.,(1994) found that the work hazards, the most common of which are noise, vibration, physical and psychological strain, visual exertion and inadequate working postur Korasch (2005) revealed that visibility constraints determine work postures. It has been suggested that sewing machine operations, who frequently suffer from back pain, reduce eye task distances in order to compensate for adequate lighting. This adjustment exaggerates trunk inclination and increases back loading. Maier. E et al. (2002) reported that poor lighting can accentuate existing vision problems and reading difficulties among the elderly, it can cause depression and disrupt sleep cycles. The work environment in a majority of these units is unsafe and unhealthy. These include poorly designed workstations, unsuitable furniture, lack of ventilation, inappropriate lighting, excessive noise and lack of personal protective equipment. People working in such poor or substandard environment are prone to occupational diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was conducted in garment manufacturing units located in Ghaziabad. Total of 110 sewing machine operators, 55 men and 55 women of garment manufacturing units aged between 30-55 years were selected. Purposive sampling technique, semi structured interview schedule, observation technique and equipments like noise level meter and illuminometer was used to check the level of noise and intensity of noise respectively. RESULT AND DISCUSSION It is seen from table-1 that Maximum (54.5 per cent) of male and (45.4 per cent) of female workers faced problems due to amount and intensity of light, 14.5 per cent male and 20.0 per cent female workers faced problems due to too much of noise, 16.3 percent men and 14.5 per cent women reported dust problems due to improper ventilation system whereas 5.4 per cent men and 3.6 per cent women reported problems due to vibration. TABLE 1. DISTRIBUTION OF WORKERS ACCORDING TO OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS TOTAL RESPONDENTS =110
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Occupational hazards

Male workers Frequency (n=55) Percentage (%) 10.9 14.5

Female workers Frequency (n=55) 7 11 Percentage (%) 12.7 20.0

Heat Noise

6 8

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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Vol.1 Issue 3, July 2011, ISSN 2231 5780

Vibration Ventilation Light* None of above * more than one response

3 9 30 5

5.4 16.3 54.5 9.1

2 8 25 4

3.6 14.5 45.4 7.2

It was revealed from the table-2 that intensity of light in the industry for men was more than that of women.. The average level of illumination in the stitching sections of both the units was of 411.1 and 331.1Lx respectively. This was found to be low when compared to the standard levels recommended by Grandjean, and Ghosal, which are 750 and 400 Lx respectively in cutting and sewing sections. TABLE 2 INTENSITY OF LIGHT IN GARMENT MANUFACTURING UNITS

S.No. 1) 2)

Manufacturing units Men Women

Mean Intensity of Light 211.1 Lx 231.1 Lx

It is observed from the table-3 that level of noise in male industry was more than female industry. Some unions have set a noise level of 80 dB as safe standard to work. The level of noise in male manufacturing units was more than 93.8 dB and in women manufacturing units 87.01 dB which was more than the standard level of noise. TABLE 3 LEVEL OF NOISE IN GARMENT MANUFACTURING UNITS

S.No. 1) 2)

Manufacturing units Men Women

Mean Level of Noise 93.8 dB 87.01 dB

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Table-4 shows that the accidents occurred due to equipments used at workplace. It is revealed that majority of 49.0 per cent men and 36.3 per cent women get injured with machine needles. Whereas 21.8 percent male and 29.0 per cent female got injured by scissors during cutting

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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Vol.1 Issue 3, July 2011, ISSN 2231 5780

operations and some minor accidents 5.4 per cent each in both male and female workers respectively.

TABLE 4 DISTRIBUTION OF WORKERS ACCORDING TO ACCIDENTS DUE TO EQUIPMENTS USED AT WORKPLACE TOTAL RESPONDENTS = 110 Equipments at workplace Male workers Frequency (n=55) Electric wires Piercing Needle Press (Burn) Scissors No injury 4 25 6 12 8 Percentage (%) 5.4 49.0 10.9 21.8 14.5 Female workers Frequency (n=55) 7 20 4 16 8 Percentage (%) 12.7 36.3 5.4 29.0 14.5

CONCLUSION It was found from the study that lack of ventilation, inappropriate lighting, excessive noise and lack of personal protective equipment are main causes of occupational hazards. The maximum workers were facing lighting and noise problems and workers got injured with needles and electric shock by haphazard spreading of electric wires at the workplace. REFERENCES 1. Edith, M. (2001), Lighting and occupational health and safety among sewing machine operators. Ergonomics association Vol1, pp. 507-509.
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Vol.1 Issue 3, July 2011, ISSN 2231 5780

2. Farkkila (1978) A study of portable vibrating tools in the relation to the clinical effects they produce. Br.J Ind. Med 4:141-63. 3. Karasch, B. (2005) Textbook of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Philadelphia: W B Saunders, 356-364 4. Maier, E. (2009) Adaptive Lights can Monitor what Room Occupants Are Doing and Setting Lighting Accordingly. Science Daily; Pg- 35. 5. Sakakibara, D (1995), Overhead Work and Shoulder- neck pain in orchard farmers harvesting pears and apples. (Ergonomics, 38 (4), 700-706. 6. Sakurai and Matoba (1986), Vibration syndrome again. Br Med Journal 282: 1738-39. 7. Vikrunnen, H. (2005), Long working hours and health. Scandivian Journal of work, Environment and Health, Vol 29: 171-178.

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