Transcript No Slide Title

Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs)
in the Ontario Clothing Industry:
A Focus on Small Business
Goal:
Occupational Health
Clinics for Ontario
Workers Inc.
Natale, J. (1) (2),
Bredin, R. (1)
Eaton, J. (2),
Ferrier, S. (4),
Frumin, E. (3),
Kerr, M. (4),
Naqvi, S. (5),
Wells, R. (1) .
(1) Department
of
Kinesiology, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo,
ON,
(2) Union
of Needletrades,
Industrial and Textile
Employees (UNITE),
Toronto, ON,
(3) Union
of Needletrades,
Industrial and Textile
Employees (UNITE),
New York, NY,
To lower the rate and severity of WMSDs in the Ontario clothing industry using ergonomic programs
and awareness through passive or active participation of workers and management.
Research Base
PHASE I:
PHASE II:
• A prior study, entitled “Dealing with Workplace
Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Ontario
Clothing Industry” provided a base of
knowledge with regard to the common
ergonomic problems and solutions currently
seen in the industry. The study involved:
• Our new project can be seen as a second phase, and in
itself acts as the transfer of the knowledge recently
gathered.
• Data collected from 29 clothing plants within
Ontario including:
 Questionnaires
• Three clothing plants whose workers are represented
by UNITE will participate (over 650 workers).
 131
• Data will be collected through health questionnaires,
physical demands analyses and electromyography.
completed by one worker and
one management representative at each site
ergonomic assessments from 4-7 different
tasks conducted within each plant
• This data will be collected pre and post changes to
determine if the interventions were effective.
• Measures of ergonomic risk (relative to other
plants) and good practices for performing
different tasks in the garment industry were
determined.
• A different approach for ergonomic interventions will
be used in each plant.
• We hypothesize the greatest immediate impact will be
at the active plant with the creation of an ergonomic
change team.
(4) Institute
for Work &
Health, Toronto, ON,
1.
(5)
Occupational Health
Clinics for Ontario
Workers, Toronto, ON.
• It will further develop the best means by which this
information can be distributed and solutions
implemented in an industry known for its fragmented,
small business base and highly diverse workforce.
Buttons are sewn on a coat
at a manufacturer in
Toronto.
This workstation could
benefit from some
ergonomic improvements.
(Photo by: J. Gunning)
Exchange vehicle: The Ergonomic Handbook
produced from Phase I of the project is an
illustrated, easy-to-read reference for employees,
employers and health professionals dealing with
the clothing industry.
• The Ergonomic Change Team:

Trained in the identification and evaluation of
problems, as well as the means by which solutions
can be found.

Will remain intact and active after the study is
complete allowing for the continued benefits of a
work environment with a lower risk of injury.
Users Exchange and Transfer
Vehicles
1) Handbook developed from Phase I findings:
Description of approaches used at each study site
for Phase II.
3) Phase II Report:
• Illustrated and easy-to-read format
• “Plain-language” format
• Distributed throughout UNITE plants,
other interested parties and is available on
UNITE’s web site (www.unite-svti.org)
• Provide information and
suggestions easily accessible to
clothing workers and managers
• Provides new ideas and suggestions to
reduce WMSDs
• Available on UNITE’s web site
2) Best ergonomic practices will be exchanged
with the plants involved through the
Ergonomic Change Team at the “active”
plant, the research team at the “passive”
plant and the delayed interventions at the
control plant.
A worker cuts fabric according to its
pattern with a handsaw. Excessive
reaching and hip flexion is common
in this operation.
(Photo by: J. Gunning)
• Distributed to all participating
employers, UNITE local unions,
industry associations, health and
safety organizations, other unions
and labour organizations and the
WSIB.
Plant A
ACTIVE Participation
Ergonomic Change Team
formed consisting of
management, workers
and plant engineer
recommends changes
Impact of the Study
• Long and short term impacts on the clothing industry are possible.
• Immediate results will be seen within the three plants in which the
study is conducted, affecting over 650 workers.
• Long-term effects will result from the dissemination of the results
through the established networks, possibly affecting many more
within this and other related industries.
Plant B
PASSIVE Participation
Research Team only
recommends ergonomic
changes
• With the results of this study in hand, small businesses in the
clothing industry will have access to some evidence-based
intervention tools designed to help decrease the risk of WMSD.
Plant C
CONTROL
Delayed Intervention
References
A final inspection workstation at a men’s shirt
manufacturer with a good work surface, sitstand stool and anti-fatigue matting.
Gunning, J., Eaton, J., Ferrier, S., Kerr, M., King, A., Maltby, J. (2000) Dealing With
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Ontario Clothing Industry. WSIB
#980024
(Photo by: J. Gunning)
Gunning, J., Eaton, J., Ferrier, S., Frumin, E., Kerr, M., King, A., Maltby, J. (2001)
Ergonomic Handbook For The Clothing Industry. UNITE. WSIB #980024