Impact of a joint labor-management ergonomics program on upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms among garment workers

This study evaluated the effect of an ergonomics intervention program on th e prevalence and intensity of symptoms of upper extremity work-related musc uloskeletal disorders among 36 garment workers performing an operation call ed spooling, Adjustable chairs were introduced and workers were trained in their use. Symptom surveys were administered prior to and 6 months after in troduction of adjustable chairs. Quantitative pre- and post-intervention me asurement of joint position was performed utilizing videotapes among a subg roup of nineteen. Eighty nine percent of the cohort reported pain in either the neck or at least one upper extremity anatomic site prior to the adjust able chair intervention. Among subjects reporting pain at baseline, there w ere significantly decreased pain levels in 10 of I I anatomic sites after t he intervention. Among all subjects, the proportion reporting pain decrease d for each anatomic site following the intervention, with statistically sig nificant decreases in 3 sites. However, there were only modest declines in awkward posture among the videotaped subgroup. This study suggests that int roduction of an ergonomics program focused on education and introduction of an adjustable chair may diminish musculoskeletal symptomatology in apparel manufacturing workers. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.