Chapter II

Reviews of Related Literature and Studies

This chapter includes the ideas, finished thesis, generalization or conclusions,

methodologies and others. Those that were included in this chapter helps in

familiarizing information that are relevant and similar to the present study.

Related Literature

Local

2012 Philippine Standard Occupational Classification (PSOC). Textile, leather

and related patternmakers and cutters create precision master patterns for

production of garments, other textile, and leather or fur products. They mark, cut,

shape and trim textile, light leather and other materials according to blueprints or

specifications in the manufacture of garments, hats and caps, gloves and

miscellaneous products.

According to Savita Sharma the disc prefers a postural stability, while the muscles

prefer a slight forward curve. This is the most widely known sitting posture because it

is relaxing, so there is a conflict of interest between the demands of the muscles and

those of the intervertebral discs.

Foreign

According to Parkers (2008), musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) constitute the largest

category of work-related illness in developed countries, and are a major source of

industry and the public service. In view of the individual distress, occupational

limitations, and economic costs associated with MSD, the topic has attracted much

research attention in the fields of epidemiology, medicine, physiology and

psychology. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) constitute an important health problem

globally. Injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system account for more than

20% of patient visits to primary care and emergency medical practitioners in United

State of America. In Africa and developing countries, poverty with its attendant

malnutrition, infectious diseases, ignorance and inadequate medical facilities are all

associated with the occurrence of MSD (Olayinka, 2009)

INJURIES TO TAILORS, DRESSMAKERS AND SEAMSTRESSES. Those in the

field of clothes making are exposed to occupational risk. Due to the long hours of

work, and their exposure to work tools problems. Professional sewers are not an

exception. Furthermore, the sewing profession requires an individual to complete

detailed physical work on a daily basis. Some of the risks that these individuals

encounter in the workplace include:

First, Ergonomic injuries, these are common among those in the sewing industry,

because these individuals are required to sit for long periods of time while

completing detailed needlework. Whether they are sitting at a sewing table or

completing alterations by hand, there is a likelihood that they will deal with

ergonomic complications at some point during their professional career.

Second, Back and neck injuries, the position in which many professional sewers

sit as well as the concentration that is necessary to complete the job can result in
back and neck injuries. Employees should be given frequent breaks so that they can

move, stretch and stay comfortable while working.

Third, Eye strain, every professional sewers focus completely on their work at all

times, which is often small and detailed in nature. This can cause eye strain and can

even lead to impaired vision over time. It is necessary that employers provide

professional sewers with the equipment they need to stay safe, and that employers

encourage their employees to take frequent breaks in order to protect their eyesight.

Fourth, Injuries that result from defective equipment, professional sewers

operate sewing equipment and machines every day to complete their work. When

this equipment is not maintained or it is poorly manufactured, there can be defects

that result in injuries to the employees. Employers have an obligation to provide their

seamstresses and tailors with adequate equipment that is well-maintained.

PRACTICAL WORKSTATION AND PRODUCT DESIGN. Workstation is a place

occupied by a worker when performing a job. The place may be one occupied all the

time or may be one of several places where work is done. An example of a

workstation is the area covered by a sewing machine, a chair, containers with

incoming parts and finished pieces, and the nearby space in which the worker needs

to move. In the case of a sewing workstation, this horizontal floor space is around

four-square meters. In cases where larger products are manufactured such as

curtains, tents or rugs, this floor space can be as high as 6 to 8 square meters. A

well-designed workstation is important for productive work. Most workers in factories

producing garments repeat the same or similar operations for the entire production

lot which, if performed efficiently and quickly, can result in greater productivity. Each

workstation should be designed to suit the needs of a worker, the machine and the
task to be performed. A well-organized workplace minimizes material handling,

improves efficiency and reduces worker fatigue. The existence of your enterprise

relies on an efficient supply to the market. Survival and future growth is very much

linked to your product, design, quality and service. Consistently manufacturing high

quality goods usually leads to repeat orders.

9 WAYS TO INCREASE SEWING OPERATOR EFFICIENCY. Apparel

manufacturing is a labor-intensive industry. Factories aim for reducing manufacturing

cost through increasing sewing operator efficiency. The purpose of increasing

operator efficiency is to reduce labour cost per unit.

First, develop the operator's sewing skills through training on the job. Train them on

good movements, correct material handling and better methods of performing a job.

Second, motivate operators by providing incentives based on their performance or

efficiency level.

Third, assign operators to the tasks on which they are skilled. If they are given

operations on which the operator is low skilled, they will work on less efficiency. If

you don't have an alternative skilled operator for a job, train your existing operator

first to develop his/her skill level.

Fourth, improve work methods where possible by motion study and motion analysis.

Eliminate excess motion from the existing working method.

Fifth, don't forget to design a good workstation layout based on operation

requirements. Reduce excess reach. A good presentation of work is also important.

Sixth, supply work continuously to operators. While an operator is assigned a work

with less work content and he/she has idle time, give him/her one more job.
Seventh, eliminate unnecessary interruption by supervisors, quality checkers and

other things like defective pieces are supplied to operators.

Eight, give operators achievable targets. Record operator hourly production and

chase operators if they produce less than their capacity or given target.

Ninth, don't do much overtime. And you must have one day off by applying and

adopting the above means you can improve your operator's stitching efficiency from

the existing efficiency level on the specific jobs. But to see the improvement you

have to measure the operator's existing efficiency and current efficiency.

WHAT ARE ERGONOMIC CHAIRS. Ergonomic chairs are designed to be adaptable

to the user's needs and are associated with higher productivity levels due to the

customized support that they offer. Typically, office chairs are classified as

ergonomic when they have an adjustable seat height, seat depth and lumbar

support. This means that it should be able to adjust the height of the chair so that

your legs are perpendicular to the floor and the seat pan should allow you to adjust it

so that you're able to sit comfortably. Proper lumbar support allows there to be ample

support for the lower back so that your spine is in just the right position to allow for

good posture. Ergonomic itself is not a type of chair, more of the improved support

the chair provides. There are various kinds of ergonomic chairs for computer chairs,

modern styles, executive chairs and many more.

Related Studies

Local (5)

(Velasco, 2015) according to the style weekend, 2015; A lot of love, thought, and

sweat goes into creating collection for kids, which caters token girls and young ladies
exclusively, quality, good design and great fit is what keeps clients coming back time

again.

(Style weekend,2015) here’s a wide range of effortless pieces to suit every occasion

in the busywoman’s world – from sweets shifts and smart shirtdresses that will take

you from the corporate grind to cocktail hour, glam formals dressier occasions, and

even chic separates you can mix and match with existing pieces in your own

wardrobe

(Bing, 2010) the bags are not only found to be a legal and environment trend, but

also a fashion trend. Reusable shopping bags manufacturers are adding many

customizations that allow people to display their personality with their bags. As the

years continue, it is estimated the upward trend in reusable shopping bag use will

remain strong.

Director Celia Elumba of the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) says

the MFA "did not promote development in developing countries." This, along with the

country's shift in priorities to other sectors, led to a substantial weakening of textile

production, and even more in our clothing production.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO).The COVID-19

pandemic has had a severe impact on the Philippine garment industry, cutting

exports by almost 40% to major buyer countries and putting the livelihoods and

employment of more than 600,000 workers at risk.

Foreign (5)

A study by Claus, et al. (2009) looked at the effect of various postures on regional

muscle activity. For the deep and superficial fibers of lumbar multifidus muscles, the

least muscle activity occurred during a flat posture, which was similar to a slump
posture. The most activity occurred in a short lordosis position; there was also more

activity in the obliquus internus.

Bernard et al. (2010) stated that work-related MSDs are defined differently in

different studies; thus, it is not surprising that controversy has arisen about the

relative importance of various risk factors in the aetiology of these disorders. Some

investigators restrict themselves to case definitions based on clinical pathology,

some to the presence of symptoms, some to “objectively” demonstrable pathological

processes, and some to work disability (such as lost work-time status).

Frevalds (2012), stated that anthropometric design principle typically used for

equipment or facilities that can be adjusted to fit a wider range of individuals. The

true design should have used the body dimensions for a combined male and female

population.

According to Dul and Weerdmester (2008), A number of principles of importance

to the ergonomics of posture and movement derive from a range of specialist fields,

namely biomechanics, physiology and anthropometrics.

According to International Labor Organization (2012), suggested the following

ergonomics guidelines for sitting work:

(1) The person needs to be able to reach the entire work area without stretching or

twisting necessary.

(2) The good sitting position means that the individual is sitting straight in front of and

close to the work.

(3) The work table and chair should be designed so that the work surface is

approximately at the same level as the elbows.

forearms or hands.

Synthesis

References:

https://lpulaguna.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Development-Of-An-

Ergonomically-Designed-Drafting-Table-And-Chair-For-Engineering-Students-Of-

Lpu-Laguna.pdf

ENTENLAW. (2018). Injuries to tailors, dressmakers and seamstresses. Retrieved

from https://www.entenlaw.com/blog/2018/01/injuries-to-tailors-dressmakers-and-

seamstress es.html

Hiba, J.C. (1998). Working Conditions and Productivity in the Garment Industry:

Practical workstation and product design. Retrieved from

https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_protect/---protrav/---

safework/documents/instruc tionalmaterial/wcms_228220.pdf Philippines Statistics

Authority. (2012).

2012 Philippine Standard Occupational Classification (PSOC). Retrieved from

https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psoc/?q=psoc/minor/753 Sarkar, P. (2012).

9 Ways to Increase Sewing Operator Efficiency. Retrieved from

https://www.onlineclothingstudy.com/2012/07/9-ways-to-increase-sewing-

operator.html
Howe, R. (2020). What Are Ergonomic Chairs. Retrieved from

https://www.officechairs.com/blog/what-are-ergonomic-chairs

https://www.scribd.com/document/352972188/REVIEW-OF-RELATED-

LITERATURE

https://www.bworldonline.com/from-riches-to-rags-coronavirus-brings-philippines-

garment-industry-to-its-knees/?

fbclid=IwAR2t98e9N3LaEVONhgPVkcrTMiSkZ7JxjO1TKSFR2-

DvoFvRoqQxR2LFOuM