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Repetitive trauma fisorders in the garment industry.

Authors
Keyserling WM; Donoghue JL; Punnett L; Miller AB
Source
NIOSH 1982 Aug; :1-69
Link
https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/PB89215867.xhtml
NIOSHTIC No.
00188279
Abstract
The prevalence of repetitive trauma disorders among workers in the garment industry was investigated with the intention of identifying specific sources of ergonomic stress which could be causing these conditions. The prevalence of pain in selected joints and limbs was investigated through a survey of 397 workers, of whom about 25 percent suffered persistent musculoskeletal pain in at least one part of their body. The most frequent location of the pain was the hand, followed by the back and neck. The following tests were also administered: Phalen's Test used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome; Tinel's Test used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome; Finklestein's Test used to diagnose deQuervain's disease; and Thumb Rotation Test used to diagnose degenerative joint disease. Particularly high rates of strain were noted among stitchers. The authors recommend that: efforts be made to reduce the coefficient of friction between the fabric being sewn and the working surface of the machines; sewing surfaces of the machines should be slanted in order to possibly reduce the tendency to lean forward; and workers should be rotated among different stitching jobs to reduce the amount of exposure each has to the more strenuous of the tasks.
Keywords
NIOSH-Contract; Ergonomics; Musculoskeletal-system-disorders; Sewing-machine-operators; Humans; Carpal-tunnel-syndrome; Garment-workers; Cumulative-trauma-disorders
Publication Date
19820801
Document Type
Purchase Order Report
Funding Type
Purchase Order
Fiscal Year
1982
NTIS Accession No.
PB89-215867
NTIS Price
A05
Identifying No.
Task-Order-81-3220
Priority Area
Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities; Disease and Injury; Musculoskeletal-system-disorders
Source Name
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, NIOSH Purchase Order Report No. 81-3220, 69 pages, 9 references
State
MA
Performing Organization
Harvard School of Public Health
Page last reviewed: May 11, 2023
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division