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Details

Repetitive Trauma Disorders in the Garment Industry.

PB89215867

Publication Date	1982
Personal Author	Keyserling, W. M.; Donoghue, J. L.; Punnett, L.; Miller, A. B.
Page Count	86
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 were investigated through a survey of 397 workers, of whom about 25% 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 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 of each to the more strenuous tasks.
Keywords	Musculoskeletal disorders Traumatic disorders Textile industry Sewing Human factors engineering Surveys Occupational safety and health Repetitive Traumatic Stress Disorder Carpal tunnel syndrome
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	57U - Public Health & Industrial Medicine 94D - Job Environment 41I - Job Environment 95D - Human Factors Engineering
Corporate Authors	Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Dept. of Environmental Health Sciences.; Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, New York.; Robert A. Taft Labs., Cincinnati, OH.
Supplemental Notes	Sponsored by Robert A. Taft Labs., Cincinnati, OH., and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, New York.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	198922
Contract Number	PHS-PO-81-3220

Repetitive Trauma Disorders in the Garment Industry.

Repetitive Trauma Disorders in the Garment Industry.
PB89215867

Publication Date	1982
Personal Author	Keyserling, W. M.; Donoghue, J. L.; Punnett, L.; Miller, A. B.
Page Count	86
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 were investigated through a survey of 397 workers, of whom about 25% 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 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 of each to the more strenuous tasks.
Keywords	Musculoskeletal disorders Traumatic disorders Textile industry Sewing Human factors engineering Surveys Occupational safety and health Repetitive Traumatic Stress Disorder Carpal tunnel syndrome
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	57U - Public Health & Industrial Medicine 94D - Job Environment 41I - Job Environment 95D - Human Factors Engineering
Corporate Authors	Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Dept. of Environmental Health Sciences.; Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, New York.; Robert A. Taft Labs., Cincinnati, OH.
Supplemental Notes	Sponsored by Robert A. Taft Labs., Cincinnati, OH., and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, New York.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	198922
Contract Number	PHS-PO-81-3220