Anthropometric measurements related to the workplace design for female workers employed in the textiles sector in Denizli, Turkey

Year 2011, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 102 - 111, 05.02.2012

Velittin Kalınkara , Nurten Çakal İlgaz Akdoğan Nesrin Kacar

Abstract

Because of working in a constant and iterative position, injuries occur in shoulders, necks,
backs, and lower extremities of sewing machine operators. Holding the left upper arm up,
bending the body and the head and ankle and knee at non-optimum angles causes these injuries
or makes the situation more serious. This study aims at determining the anthropometric
measurements related to the workplace design for female workers employed in large numbers in
the textiles sector working in Denizli. In order to do this, a total of 18 anthropometric measures
were collected at sitting (9) and standing positions (9) from 407 female workers in separate
clothing plants, using the Harpenden type Anthropometer. The measurements taken in the
sitting position are related to the aim to discover the optimum design of the workstation of the
sewing machine whereas the measures at standing position were taken with the aim of
determining the optimum height of the quality control and ironing units. In the study the
descriptive and percentile values were calculated. Considering the anthropometric
measurements required, suggestions related to workplace design were proposed.

Keywords

Textile sector, women, anthropometric measurements, design of work place

References

• Björksten MG, Boqoist B, Talback M, Edling C. (2001) Reported neck and shoulder problems in female industrial workers: the importance of factors at work and at home. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 27: 159-170.