Introduction
The garment industry is a major contributor to the economies of many countries. Indian sub continent is
the second largest manufacturer of garments after china being the global leader in garment production.
India is known for its high quality garments for men and most of the garment manufacturers are in the
small and medium scale industry. India garment industry has an advantage as it produces and exports
stylish garments for men and women at economical prices due to cheap labor rates. Today the way of
technological advancement and use of sophisticated machinery it has enabled the manufacturers to
achieve better quality and well designed garments. The members include those who are working as
tailors, embroidery worker, self employed tailors etc. Health is a state of complete physical, mental and
social wellbeing and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmity. Occupational health hazard is
concerned with health hazard in relation to work environment. The science of occupational health
hazards covers a wide field, like work physiology, occupational hygiene, occupational psychology,
occupational toxicology etc. Ergonomics also play an important role in making the workplace as efficient,
safe and comfortable as possible and at the same time enhance human performance. If work tasks and
equipment do not include ergonomic principles in their design, workers may have exposure to undue
physical stress, strain, and overexertion, including vibration, awkward postures, forceful exertions,
repetitive motion, and heavy lifting. Recognizing ergonomic risk factors in the workplace is an essential
first step in correcting hazards and improving worker protection. Effective application of ergonomics in
work system design can achieve a balance between worker characteristics and task demands, enhancing
worker productivity, provide worker safety, physical and mental well-being and job satisfaction.
Workers information
Table 1 showed that majority (54.00%) of the respondents belonged to the age
group of 33-43 years. In respect to marital status, maximum (54.00%) of the
respondents were married and qualification of maximum (30.00%) of the
respondents were senior secondary followed by (30.00%) respondents were
graduate
table 2 showed that work organization of the respondents. Majority (44.00%) of
the respondents having the work experience of above 10 years. Maximum
(52.00%) of the respondents were duration of work was<7 and more than half of
the respondents (82.00%) were took break during the work. Maximum numbers of
the respondents (82.00%) were took break of fixed duration and (88.00%)
respondents were work along with others.
Musculoskeletal profile of garment-making operators
“Work-related musculoskeletal disorders” (WMSDs) is a term used to describe a painful or disabling
injury to the muscles, tendons or nerves caused or aggravated by work. WMSDs are preventable or at
least can be delayed.
Mechanisms of injury
By far the most frequently reported mechanism of injury associated with upper limb musculoskeletal
disorders involved muscles and related structures. However, the involvement of nerve structures has
more frequently been considered as a mechanism of pain in ULDs when damaged (McAtamney, 1994).
Mechanisms of shoulder and neck disorders The position and function of the head, neck, shoulders and
arms determine the loading on the supporting structures of the neck and shoulders for the hands cannot
function without the elbows and shoulders being stabilised. MSD and Work Organisation in the
European Clothing Industry 27 Fatigue of these structures under static loading conditions of very low
levels of contraction (less than 2% of maximum voluntary contraction) were sufficient to cause
musculoskeletal disorders.
Sustained contraction of the neck muscles caused by emotional tension or time pressures for extended
periods can also cause pain and tissue tenderness. Finally, disc degeneration has also been associated
with symptoms of the neck, usually occurring through long exposure to asymmetrical loading.
Mechanisms of forearm and hand disorders
In contrast to the static muscle loading of the neck and shoulders, the mechanisms of disorders to the
forearm, wrist and hand have been largely associated with the external loads. These include repetitive
and/or forceful actions, which are worsened by the need for constrained or awkward postures. When
recovery of the small muscles and soft tissue of the forearm, wrist and fingers can occur through
changes in activity or rest then the risk of disorders developing is reduced.
Upper Limb Disorders (ULDs) ULD has been used as a collective and descriptive term for conditions of
pain, ache, discomfort or dysfunction in the soft tissue structures of the neck and upper limb regions
where physical signs may or may not be present. ULDs are usually caused by more than one factor and
may be exacerbated by other work or leisure activities. As a group of conditions they have diverse
symptoms, structures involved and causal factors, so it is not surprising that they are considered to be
not well understood (Health Policy Division, 1994). While physical risks such as repetition rate, force and
awkward postures have been identified as principal causes of these disorders, research has now
indicated that interaction of risks such as external pacing or low job satisfaction can be as important in
their contribution to symptoms.
