Evaluation of ergonomic risk and musculoskeletal disorders of workers working in the textile sector

This study investigates how ergonomic risks and musculoskeletal disorders arise among textile workers, and what precautions are needed. This research involves examining the occurrence of occupational diseases arising in the workplace of forty-five textile workers. Forty-five participants, aged 18-55, with primary to high school degrees and working at a textile company engaged in large-scale outerwear (combed cotton) production and sewing within the textile sector, were administered the Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorders and Rapid Entire Body Assessment Questionnaire, consisting of 15 questions on sociodemographic information and 20 body parts: Frequency of Pain, Intensity of Pain, and Pain Interference with Work. The first part is answered on a 5-point Likert-type scale, while the other two parts are answered on a 3-point Likert-type scale. The data obtained were analyzed using the Statistics 26.0 package program. Data were collected by asking participants questions such as their name, surname, gender, age, height, weight, marital status, educational status, smoking habit, alcohol habit, how many days and hours they work per week, whether they have overtime, duration of breaks during the day, working style, how many months/years they have been working, how many months/years they have been working in the textile sector, whether they have a diagnosed chronic disease, whether they have had a work accident during work, whether they have had a musculoskeletal disorder in the last year, whether their work environment is suitable for physical conditions, and whether they exercise for at least thirty minutes at least three days a week. Of the participants, 25 (55.6%) were female, 20 (44.4%) were male; 14 (31.1%) were between 153-160 centimeters, 15 (33.3%) were between 161-170, 16 (35.6%) were 171 centimeters and over; 17 (37.8%) were between 48-65 kilograms, 17 (37.8%) were between 66-80 kilograms, 11 (24.4%) were 81 kilograms and over; 21 (46.7%) were between 18-30 years old, 15 (33.3%) were between 31-40 years old, 9 (20.0%) were 41 years old and over; 10 (22.2%) were primary school graduates, 33 (73.3%) were high school graduates, 2 (4.4%) were associate degree graduates; 18 (40.0%) single, 27 (60.0%) married participants.What are the physical and mental factors that may arise in work environments? How can precautions be taken against these factors, and what kind of work should be conducted? One of these analyses, the Rapid Entire Body Assessment and the Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorder, was examined using a method that allows for the assessment of all body parts that determine risk in working postures. It included questions about the severity and frequency of musculoskeletal disorders (pain/ache/discomfort) in eleven body regions (neck, right and left shoulder, upper arm, forearm and wrist, back, and lumbar region), the severity of these pains, and whether they interfere with work. Based on these results, it may be possible to reduce the complaints and ergonomic risk levels experienced by textile workers, particularly those related to musculoskeletal disorders, through ergonomics training. Given that this training can achieve the same results for employees in different departments, it is suggested that specialized studies in these departments would be beneficial. A study recommending awareness of musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic risk assessments may be recommended, particularly for sewing workers, who often sit at machines for extended periods. Keywords: Occupational Health and Safety, CMDQ, REBA, Cornell, Risk, Hazard, Musculoskeletal System, Ergonomic Risk