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Issue title: An Ergonomic Focus on Children, Youth and Education
Article type: Research Article
Authors: Awan, Saeed | Nasrullah, Muazzam
Affiliations: Centre for the Improvement of Working Conditions and Environment, Lahore, Pakistan | Injury Control Research Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Muazzam Nasrullah, Centre for the Improvement of Working Conditions and Environment, Township (Near Rescue 1122), Lahore, Pakistan. Tel.: +92 42 9262145; Fax: +92 42 9262146; E-mail: hij9@cdc.gov
Note: [] Corresponding author: Saeed Awan, Centre for the Improvement of Working Conditions and Environment, Township (Near Rescue 1122), Lahore, Pakistan. Tel.: +92 42 9262145; Fax: +92 42 9262146; E-mail: saeed.awan3@gmail.com
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Children and adults involved in carpet weaving are prone to a number of health and safety problems. This paper describes initial impact of an ergonomically designed loom and work place modifications, to encourage young and adult workers to weave carpets and reduce the hazardous child labor in carpet weaving in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. METHODS: A new carpet loom with improved ergonomic and safety features suitable for adult carpet weavers was designed. Model carpet weaving worksites based on the new loom and better work environment were created in 30 villages. The impact of new loom compared with the traditional looms was assessed through structured questionnaires and health examinations after 24 months. RESULTS: Adolescent (15–17 years) and adult (> 17 years) participants included 75 respondents (males 10.7%, n=8; females 89.3%, n=67) operating under the new conditions and 92 respondents (males 12%, n=11; females 88%, n=81) operating under traditional conditions. Results indicated an improvement of health related complaints among those working in the new conditions, most notable were the differences in joint pain (p=0.002) and respiratory health (p=0.02). Improvement of income was also reported by workers at model workplaces. Also, no children below the age of 14 were found to be working at the new looms. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that individuals who adopted new looms and workplace interventions reported less joint pain and better respiratory health than those working with traditional looms in a traditional work environment. By reducing the risks in the workplace, this ergonomic intervention has the potential to reduce or eliminate hazardous child labor from carpet weaving.
Keywords: Carpet, weaving, child labor, injury, loom, ergonomics, musculoskeletal, safety, Pakistan
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121490
Journal: Work, vol. 44, no. Supplement 1, pp. 95-103, 2013
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