Case Study: Non-conformity due to lack of ergonomic support for standing workers

 


Non-Conformity:

Issue: Lack of Ergonomic Support for Standing Workers Reference: Social compliance standard on worker health and safety Location: Garment Factory, Tirupur Date of Observation: 15-Jul-2023

Evidence: During the factory visit, it was observed that a significant percentage of employees, especially the standing workers (excluding tailoring workers), experience severe leg pain due to continuous standing positions during their shifts. Rubber mats, which could provide essential support and cushioning to reduce the strain on workers' legs, were not provided.

Correction Action Plan:

  1. Immediate Provision of Rubber Mats: The factory management should promptly provide rubber mats to all workstations where employees are required to stand for prolonged periods. These mats should be of sufficient quality and thickness to offer adequate support to the workers' legs and reduce fatigue.

  2. Implementation of Rotational Breaks: Introduce a rotational break system for standing workers, allowing them to have short breaks (e.g., 5-10 minutes) to sit down and rest their legs. These breaks should be scheduled in a manner that does not disrupt the production flow.

  3. Ergonomic Chairs for Non-Tailoring Workers: For non-tailoring workers who are not required to stand continuously, provide ergonomic chairs that support their back and promote better posture. This will help in preventing potential musculoskeletal issues in the long term.

  4. Training on Proper Posture and Ergonomics: Conduct regular training sessions for all employees, including tailoring workers, on maintaining proper posture and ergonomics while performing their tasks. This training should raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy work practices to avoid work-related injuries.

  5. Health Check-ups and Support: Implement a system for periodic health check-ups and consultation with medical professionals for employees who experience persistent pain or discomfort. Offer appropriate medical support and treatment to affected workers.

  6. Monitoring and Feedback Mechanism: Establish a monitoring system to track the effectiveness of the corrective actions taken. Gather feedback from workers on the provided measures and make necessary adjustments based on their suggestions and concerns.

  7. Worker Participation and Engagement: Encourage worker participation in identifying potential ergonomic issues and involving them in the decision-making process for implementing corrective measures. Workers' feedback and insights are valuable in ensuring the effectiveness of the solutions.

  8. Compliance Review and Auditing: Conduct regular internal audits to ensure ongoing compliance with the ergonomic measures and assess the overall well-being of the workforce. Include ergonomics in the scope of future social compliance audits to verify continuous adherence to the standards.

By implementing the above correction action plan, the garment factory can significantly improve the working conditions for standing workers, reduce the occurrence of leg pain and associated health issues, and enhance overall worker well-being and productivity.

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