Occupational health and Safety for Sewing Machine Operators in Pakistan: Revealing Hazards in Small and Medium Garment Enterprises

Work fatigue and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are major occupational health issues, driven by physical, psychosocial, individual, and environmental risk factors. Identifying the significant work-related factors affecting workers' health and safety is crucial. Therefore, the study aims to evaluate the prevalence of work fatigue and WMSDs among Sewing Machine Operators (SMOs), and to identify the associated most significant work-related risk factors. A comprehensive survey was conducted among 313 sewing machine operators using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and Chalders Fatigue Scale (CFS) to assess the prevalence of WMSDs and work fatigue among participants. Descriptive statistics and univariate analysis of variance were used for data analysis. The results indicated that 67.2% of SMOs experienced physical fatigue, and 56.0% reported mental fatigue. The highly affected body parts were the shoulders (78.3%) and lower back (76.7%). Gender, experience, vibration, payment type and quantitative demands were identified as the most significant (p<0.05) work-related risk factors. These findings align with global studies showing that 70% of SMOs in Bangladesh and 72% in China report physical fatigue, while 58% of Indian SMOs experience high levels of stress and anxiety. Compared to global averages, the prevalence of fatigue and WMSDs among SMOs is notably high, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. The study highlights the importance of implementing robust occupational health and safety regulations and developing strategies focused on ergonomics, risk management, and mental health to mitigate these risks. Future initiatives should focus on improving work conditions, introducing technological solutions, and addressing psychosocial factors to enhance workers' physical and mental wellbeing.