Presentation on Ergonomics of Sewing

Workstation (Single Needle Lockstitch

Machine)
By Satadeep Datta
 Introduction
• Sewing involves repeated movements
off the shoulder and arm
• A static position of the spine and
lower ribs, as well as the inclination
forward while the job is done
throughout the working hours.
• The risks that clothing workers face
come from more subtle hazards whose
effect accumulates over time.
•

•
While Designing the workspace in the process of sewing it is necessary to achieve
dimensional harmony of the human-machine system .
•
The Structure of technological operation is mostly (65%) related to handling of
materials within support hand technological grips.
•
The very processing on a machine (sewing grip) is performed during the machine or
machine-hand time(25%) whereas (10%) of the time is used for non production work.
•

•
Poor ergonomic conditions in combination with adverse psychological and social
circumstances can cause various diseases, such as:
1. Emotional symptoms- psychological tension, uncertainty, anxiety and
depression.
2. Psychosomatic diseases- respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, the loss
or the increase in appetite and sleep.
 Common Problems

• Hand tools

• Large, heavy scissors

are used for trimming
and loop cutting held
with a blade for
accuracy.
• Scissor handles are
narrow and create
contact stress.
• Most scissors used are
dull and require
excessive forces to
operate.
 Promote Lumber Lordosis
• While • When one is
standing sitting with the
erect, the thighs at 90
lumber degrees, the
portion of lumber region
the spine is of the back
naturally flattens out and
curved may even
inward assume an
(concave), outward
that is, it is bend(convex), that
lordotic. is, it becomes
kyphotic.

• It is seen that a 2 inch thick lumber support with a seat

back rest angle of 90 degrees have a marked impact on
maintaining lumber lordosis.
 Minimise Disc Pressure
• Unsupported sitting in an upright, erect
posture(forced lordosis) resulted in a
40% increase in pressure compared to
standing.
• Unsupported seating in a forward
slumped posture increases pressure by
90% compared to standing.
• Andersson (1987) reports that using of
a reclined backrest has a marked effect
with considerable reduction in pressure
by reclining backrest from vertical 90
to just 100 to 110 degrees.
 The movement from left to right requires a strain that is partly static(taking
and passing a cutting part) and partly dynamic, and each is accompanied by a
slight bending and turning of the body in the waist area.
 PROBLEMS FACED DURING SEWING
(WORKSTATION-RELATED)

CHAIRS
•
Swivel chairs for workstations are
approved in accordance with the
DIN 68877 standard.
• The chair should allow workers to
lean forward and backwards
easily. The worker should have
adequate leg room under the
worktable so that he/she can
change the position of the legs
easily. The feet should be flat on
the floor or the worker should be
provided with a footrest – this
will eliminate pressure on the
thigh and below the feet.
 THE ERGONOMIC WAY
Treadle & Leg Room
• Many sewing tables have a moveable treadle
fixed on a traverse. Using screws the treadle
can be mounted to the front or rear.
•

• Even with a medium sized operator, it may

be necessary 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 allows the

worker to move their feet to an optimal
position and thereby avoid excessive bending
of the upper body.
• Hence, components such as the motor,
operating devices or drawers should not be
installed under the table top because they
project into the leg area
 FRONT/BACK POSITION OF PEDALS
The front/back position of pedals should
be adjusted when the operator is sitting at
the machine in a position that provides a
clear view of the work at hand and does not
impede movements. The (front/back location
of the pedal partly depends on the height of
the chair. The front/back adjustment is
correct when:
• thighs are approximately horizontal
(with a horizontal seat):
• knees are at an angle of approximately
120 degrees.
Footrest
When operators activate the sewing Pedal
with one foot. It is recommended to install a
footrest beside the sewing pedal which
should be:-
• The same height and at the same angle
and front/back position as the Pedal.
• Wide enough.
• Solidly fixed with a non-skid surface.
Working Aid

When using scissors or thread cutters,

Avoid: making strenuous movements with the
wrists (flexing or bending)
■ Applying excessive pressure on fingers or
palm
■ Rubbing the skin on rough or sharp parts of
the tools. To avoid strenuous movements of
the wrists, choose scissors or cutters designed
to keep wrists straight during use ;
■ Perform cutting operations in an area with
enough room to allow work with straight
wrists.
To avoid excessive pressure on hands: adapt
the size of the handle to the size of the
operator’s hand, provide a choice of left-
handed and right-handed scissors
Working Aid for Sewing Machines
Adjustable workstation with Armrest
TABLE HEIGHT
Maximum and minimum height of the
work table of a flatbed sewing machine
for a large person in the sitting position
(where high standards of accuracy are
necessary with short viewing distances)
and for a short person (where less
accuracy is required and larger viewing
distances).
• The height of many sewing tables is
adjustable by turning a screw.
However, a table frame with electronic
infinite adjustment of the height is
more comfortable. The height of the
table should allow the worker to sit in a
comfortable upright position.
• If the table is too low, workers will
have to hunch forward, putting strain
on the back, neck and shoulders. If the
table is too high, workers will have to
raise their shoulders to get their arms
high enough to work. This posture puts
strain on the neck, shoulder and arms.
•
Sit and Stand workstation design

Electrically height
adjustable, highest quality,
sit-down/stand-up
workstation, with sample
set-up (power outlet strip,
task light, tiltable surfaces,
swing arm, footrest, etc.)

Therefore, frequent changes of

position during a work task as
well as varying our tasks,
reduces stress
and eliminates strains and
activates different groups of
muscles. Movements such as
these reduce fatigue and
tension and enable
regeneration.
Most garment industry have a
combination of natural and
artificial lighting.

1. Rough work and Assembly:

300 lx
2. Medium bench and
machine work: 500 lx
3. Fine bench and machine
work: 1000 lx.
THANK