Integrating Ergonomic Risk Assessment with the Hierarchy of Controls Among Informal Sewing Workers in Rural Thailand.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Public Health

Background:

• Informal sewing workers in low- and middle-income countries lack formal occupational health protection.
• They face significant exposure to ergonomic and workload-related risks.
• This study addresses the integrated physical and mental workload risks contributing to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate integrated physical and mental workload risks associated with WMSDs among informal sewing workers.
• To develop contextually feasible preventive guidelines based on the Hierarchy of Ergonomic Control (HEC).

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study involving 150 informal sewing workers in Thailand.
• Quantitative data collected via questionnaires, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX).
• Qualitative data from focus group discussions to inform HEC-guided ergonomic control strategies.

Main Results:

• High prevalence of WMSDs, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and back, linked to prolonged sitting, repetitive tasks, and awkward postures.
• Younger workers and those with lower education faced higher risks.
• Physical demand and performance pressure were key workload contributors; elimination, substitution, and engineering controls were most effective.

Conclusions:

• Informal sewing workers experience substantial ergonomic and mental workload risks leading to a high burden of WMSDs.
• Implementing higher-order ergonomic controls and workload management is essential.
• Community-based interventions are vital for improving occupational health and reducing inequities.