Ergonomic workplace evaluation of an Asian garment-factory

A large number of establishments in the garment industries of the world are situated in the southeastern part of Asia where labor is plentiful and cheap. Recent reports and observational studies suggest that employees in this industry often work under difficult conditions that are unacceptable in industrialized countries. This paper reports the results of an ergonomic study in an export garment manufacturing plant in South East Asia to evaluate the working conditions of the plant from an ergonomics/human factors perspective and to suggest possible solutions to management for implementation. The investigation was done by a questionnaire survey and by observations and measurements in the workplace. The results indicated that the plant conditions were stressful, involving long work hours with poor safety and labor relations, and that work equipment and the physical workplace design were acceptable ergonomic practices. A low-cost solution, presented to management by the investigators, was implemented and, over a period of six months, seemed to be the dominant reason for significant improvements in throughput (14.6%), reduction in absenteeism (65%), job satisfaction (40%), decrease in employee turnover (75%), and reduction in health complaints (50%).