Apparel manufacturing is a labor-intensive assembly line process requiring significant amounts of repetitive and skilled manipulations. Therefore, like any other manufacturing industry, it has its own share of ergonomic problems where poorly designed and unorganized workstations contribute to musculoskeletal discomfort among the sewing operators. Research has found that ergonomic interventions including redesign and proper adjustment of workstations, use of ergonomically-designed seating, and training in low-risk methods and posture substantially improve workers’ efficiency.
Possible Improvements
Tables
The work table is adjustable, up and down. The side filing cabinet has an adjustable storage compartment and a wall cabinet that is more easily accessible, and wheelchair users must check the wheelchair turning radius. The position of the electrical outlets should be inside tables and side cabinets. Hydraulic adjustments should be used rather than manual ones due to the low physical strength of the disabled. The price of furniture must be affordable. Recyclable material should be used to reduce costs. Moreover, there should be guardrails and barriers to prevent collisions and injuries.
Design of a work table, side filing cabinet, and wall cabinet. The work table is adjustable, up and down. The side filing cabinet has an adjustable storage compartment and a wall cabinet that is more easily accessible.
The drawers
Handles of side cabinets should be recessed to prevent unwanted interaction with disabled people. Moreover, the visually impaired have difficulties retrieving objects from the bottom of cabinets, so these should be adjustable. Tabletops should have an easy-to-sign storage compartment, with signs or symbols for the visually impaired to recognize.
Wall cabinets
These are not suitable for visual impairment due to the danger of falling of objects. There should be Braille on the outside of the cabinets to identify the contents of the cabinets. It should be of their own design (see Figure: design of guardrails and barriers, electric switches, mobile and equipment storage compartments (for canes or slates) for the visually impaired).
Design of guardrails and barriers, electric switches, mobile and equipment storage compartments (for canes or slates) for the visually impaired.
Smart device
A portable, inexpensive, and easy-to-use device should be used to give instructions to the hearing impaired. Smartphones watches or accessories used in everyday life can be suitable for this purpose. Instructions given to the hearing impaired should be easy to retrieve in the event that they are forgotten. Moreover, its use should not excessively interfere while working with a trainer.
