Evaluation of an Industrial Sewing Workstation Design and Its Impact on Perceived Productivity

An ergonomically designed workstation is important in preventing repetitive strain and other health‐related problems. However, its importance in enhancing employees’ productivity is rarely studied. Thus, the main aim of this study was to assess the impact of workstation design on perceived productivity. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, observational checklist, and anthropometric measurements. A sample of 398 operators and 22 supervisors in six garment manufacturing companies in Ethiopia were considered in the survey. Among the 398 operators, 361 were willing for anthropometric measurements of 37 body dimensions. Seven different furniture (chairs and tables) in the sewing sections of the six companies were measured and evaluated against standards and compared with the anthropometry of the subjects. Descriptive and correlation analyses were used to evaluate the sewing workstations, while one‐sample t ‐tests were conducted to compare anthropometric measurements. The result showed that the existing furniture, working posture and space, and equipment negatively impacted the productivity of operators. The dimensions of the workstation furniture were neither within a standard nor matched to anthropometric measurements of the subjects. The mismatch of furniture dimensions with the anthropometry of the subjects along with the significant mean differences in anthropometry of workers across nations showed that domestic standard is necessary. Finally, an ergonomic chair was proposed with dimensions matching the anthropometry of the subjects mostly.