Workplace Hazards In Small-Scale Textile Weav...

Workplace Hazards In Small-Scale Textile Weaving Units

Author Name : Roopa Rao, Poonam Dalvi

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56025/IJARESM.2022.10866

ABSTRACT

The hazards and risks in textile weaving industries especially in the micro-scale units are a topic of much research and public health and safety interest taken place in and around the vicinity of Mumbai. Improper workstation design leading to awkward postures can be reduced through training and control methods. Lack of awareness amongst the weavers leads to Musculoskeletal Disorders and hence the need for Ergonomic Risk Assessment becomes mandatory for MSDs. An exploratory study was conducted among eighty employees (25 – 60 years) from sixteen textile units to assess the hazards and their impact on the employees. Five employees from each textile unit were selected through a random sampling technique. The tools for data collection will be face-to-face interviews (20-25 mins each) using a self-constructed questionnaire (which includes the Ergonomic Risk Assessment Checklist) interview method, and observation. 14 (87.5%) textile weaving units had stairs and walkways clear of boxes, equipment, cables, and other obstacles. 11 (68.8%) textile weaving units have entrances and exits to and from work areas free from obstructions. Almost 12(75%)\ textile weaving units have adequate ventilation throughout the work area. 7(43.7%) textile weaving units have material stored in a secured way to prevent from shifting/falling.

Keywords: Awareness of hazards, Ergonomic Risk Assessment, Hazard Identification, Occupational Health, and Safety, Textile weavers