Safety and Health at Work

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (산업안전보건연구원)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

The Current Working Conditions in Ugandan Apparel Assembly Plants

  • Received : 2016.09.28
  • Accepted : 2017.01.09
  • Published : 2017.12.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Background: The present rapid shift of industrialization from developed to developing countries requires developing countries to understand issues related to work organization, management, and working conditions. There are many factors slackening production, of which working conditions is part. A complete inquiry into the workers' working conditions can enable managements to reduce risks in the workplaces and improve productivity. Understanding and awareness of the benefits of workplace research and a probe into the working conditions in the Ugandan apparel assembly plants are urgently required. Methods: A total of 103 (70 women and 33 men) workers from five different plants were interviewed. Together with the top management of various plants, questionnaires about the workers' opinions of their physical working conditions were prepared. Data was collected using two methods: (1) questionnaire; and (2) observation of the workers during their work. Results: The results indicated that poor plant working conditions were mainly contributed by the workers' social factors and the management policies. Conclusion: The government, together with the management, should work to improve the working conditions in the apparel assembly plants, as it greatly affects both.

Keywords

References

  1. Millennium Development Goals Report for Uganda 2015 [Internet]. Kampala (UG): Uganda Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MFPED); 2015 [cited 2016 July 13]. Available from: http://www.finance.go. ug/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=7&task=doc_ download&gid=467.
  2. The National Textile Policy [Internet]. Kampala (UG): Uganda Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC); 2008 [cited 2016 July 13]. Available from: http://www.mtic.go.ug/index.php?/doc_download/99-national-textilepolicy/.
  3. McCann M. Hazards in cottage industries in developing countries. Am J Ind Med 1996;30:125-9. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199608)30:2<125::AID-AJIM2>3.0.CO;2-#
  4. Shahnavaz H. Workplace injuries in the developing countries. Ergonomics 1987;30:397-404. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140138708969725
  5. Chan J, Janowitz I, Lashuay N, Stern A, Fong K, Harrison R. Preventing musculoskeletal disorders in garment workers: preliminary results regarding ergonomics risk factors and proposed interventions among sewing machine operators in the San Francisco Bay Area. Appl Occup Environ Hyg 2002;17: 247-53. https://doi.org/10.1080/10473220252826547
  6. Sarder MB, Imrhan SN, Mandahawi N. Ergonomic workplace evaluation of an Asian garment-factory. J Hum Ergol (Tokyo) 2006;35:45-51.
  7. Delleman NJ, Dul J. Sewing machine operation: workstation adjustment, working posture, and workers' perceptions. Int J Ind Ergonom 2002;30:341-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-8141(02)00100-2
  8. Westgaard R, Jansen T. Individual and work related factors associated with symptoms of musculoskeletal complaints. II. Different risk factors among sewing machine operators. Br J Ind Med 1992;49:154-62.
  9. Ozturk N, Esin MN. Investigation of musculoskeletal symptoms and ergonomic risk factors among female sewing machine operators in Turkey. Int J Ind Ergonom 2011;41:585-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2011.07.001
  10. Dianat I, Kord M, Yahyazade P, Karimi MA, Stedmon AW. Association of individual and work-related risk factors with musculoskeletal symptoms among Iranian sewing machine operators. Appl Ergon 2015;51:180-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2015.04.017
  11. Buckle PW, Jason Devereux J. The nature of work-related neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. Appl Ergon 2002;33:207-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-6870(02)00014-5
  12. Colombini D, Occhipinti E. Preventing upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDS): new approaches in job (re)design and current trends in standardization. Appl Ergon 2006;37:441-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2006.04.008
  13. Wang PC, Rempel DM, Harrison RJ, Chan J, Ritz BR. Work-organisational and personal factors associated with upper body musculoskeletal disorders among sewing machine operators. Occup Environ Med 2007;64:806-13. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2006.029140
  14. Lombardo SR, Vijitha de Silva P, Lipscomb HJ, Ostbye T. Musculoskeletal symptoms among female garment factory workers in Sri Lanka. Int J Occup Environ Health 2012;18:210-9. https://doi.org/10.1179/1077352512Z.00000000029
  15. Schierhout G, Meyers J, Bridger R. Work related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic stressors in the South African workforce. Occup Environ Med 1995;52:46-50. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.52.1.46
  16. Li GY, Haslegrave CM, Corlett EN. Factors affecting posture for machine sewing tasksdthe need for changes in sewing-machine design. Appl Ergon 1995;26: 35-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(94)00005-J
  17. Kuorinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Vinterberg H, Biering-Sorensen F, Andersson G, Jorgensen K. Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon 1987;18:233-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(87)90010-X
  18. Kaergaard A, Andersen JH. Musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulders in female sewing machine operators: prevalence, incidence, and prognosis. Occup Environ Med 2000;57:528-34. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.57.8.528
  19. Van L, Chaiear N, Sumananont C, Kannarath C. Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among garment workers in Kandal province, Cambodia. J Occup Health 2016;58:107-17. https://doi.org/10.1539/joh.15-0100-FS
  20. Park J-K. Job hazard analyses for musculoskeletal disorder risk factors in pressing operations of dry-cleaning establishments. Saf Health Work 2016;7: 389-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2016.05.003
  21. Lee H, Ahn H, Park CG, Kim SJ, Moon SH. Psychosocial factors and workrelated musculoskeletal disorders among Southeastern Asian female workers living in Korea. Saf Health Work 2011;2:183-93. https://doi.org/10.5491/SHAW.2011.2.2.183
  22. Polajnar A, Leber M, Herzog NV. Muscular-skeletal diseases require scientifically designed sewing workstations. J Mech Eng 2010;56:31-40.
  23. Chowanadisai S, Kukiattrakoon B, Yapong B, Kedjarune U, Leggat PA. Occupational health problems of dentists in southern Thailand. Int Dent J 2000;50: 36-40. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1875-595X.2000.tb00544.x
  24. Feng B, Liang Q, Wang Y, Andersen LL, Szeto G. Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms of the neck and upper extremity among dentists in China. BMJ Open 2014;4:e006451. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006451
  25. Nordin NAM, Leonard JH, Thye NC. Work-related injuries among physiotherapists in public hospitals: a Southeast Asian picture. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2011;66:373-8.
  26. Salik Y, Ozcan A. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: a survey of physical therapists in Izmir-Turkey. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2004;5:1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-5-1
  27. Erick PN, Smith DR. The prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among school teachers in Botswana. Occup Med Health Aff 2014;2:4.
  28. Darwish MA, Al-Zuhair SZ. Musculoskeletal pain disorders among secondary school Saudi female teachers. Pain Res Treat 2013;2013:1-7.
  29. Silverstein B, Adams D, Kalat J. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, back, and upper extremity in Washington State. Washington (US): Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP); 1990. Report No.: 40-4a-2000.
  30. Vingard E, Alfredsson L, Hagberg M, Kilbom A, Theorell T, Waldenstrom M, Hjelm EW, Wiktorin C, Hogstedt C. To what extent do current and past physical and psychosocial occupational factors explain care-seeking for low back pain in a working population? Results from the Musculoskeletal Intervention Center-Norrtalje Study. Spine (Phila PA) 2000;25:493-500. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007632-200002150-00017
  31. Aloisi AM, Bonifazi M. Sex hormones, central nervous system and pain. Horm Behav 2006;50:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2005.12.002
  32. Fillingim RB, Ness T. Sex-related hormonal influences on pain and analgesic responses. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2000;24:485-501. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0149-7634(00)00017-8
  33. Dianat I, Salimi A.Working conditions of Iranian hand-sewn shoe workers and associations with musculoskeletal symptoms. Ergonomics 2014;57:602-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2014.891053
  34. Waersted M, Westgaard RH. Working hours as a risk factor in the development of musculoskeletal complaints. Ergonomics 1991;34:265-76. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139108967312
  35. Ming Z, Zaproudina N. Computer use related upper limb musculoskeletal (ComRULM) disorders. Pathophysiology 2003;9:155-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0928-4680(03)00004-X
  36. Hours of work in industrialised countries. Washington DC (US): MCB UP Ltd; 1975 [cited 2016 July 13]. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/eb003509.
  37. McLean L, Tingley M, Scott RN, Rickards J. Computer terminal work and the benefit of microbreaks. Appl Ergon 2001;32:225-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-6870(00)00071-5
  38. Niu S. Ergonomics and occupational safety and health: an ILO perspective. Appl Ergon 2010;41:744-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2010.03.004

Cited by

  1. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders amongst flower farm workers in Kenya vol.77, pp.1, 2017, https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v77i1.1515
  2. Exploring Suppliers’ Approaches toward Workplace Safety Compliance in the Global Garment Sector: From Bangladesh Perspective vol.10, pp.3, 2017, https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci10030090