Effects of payment method on work control, work risk and work-related musculoskeletal health among sewing machine operators

Effects of payment method on work control, work risk and work-related musculoskeletal health among sewing machine operators R. Nawawi1, B.M. Deros1*, D.D.I. Daruis2, A. Ramli3, R.M. Zein4 and L.H. Joseph3 1Dept. of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia *Email: [email protected] 2Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, Malaysia 3Department of Physiotherapy Faculty of Science, Lincoln University College, Malaysia 4Department of Consultation, Research & Development, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Malaysia ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify payment method and its effects on work control, work risk and work-related musculoskeletal health among Malaysian sewing machine operators. The study sample comprised 337 sewing machine operators (male, n=122, female, n=215; aged between 18-54 years old; mean 30.74±8.44) from four different garment-making companies in Malaysia. They were being paid via time rate wages (n=246) and piece rate wages (n=91). Data was collected through Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and pen-and-paper assessment via Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). From the study, the piece rate wage group was found to take fewer breaks, had high work production demands, worked at a faster pace and experienced more exhaustion and pressure due to increasing work demands as compared to the time rate group. They were also observed working with higher physical exposure such as repetitive tasks, awkward static postures, awkward grips and hand movements, pulling, lifting and pushing as compared to those in the time rate wage group. The final RULA scores was also higher from the piece rate wage group (72.53% RULA score 7) which indicated higher work risks among them. The study found that the type of wage payment was significantly associated with work risks (p=0.036, df=1) and WRMSD at the shoulder, lower back, forearm, and leg (p<0.005, df=1). The musculoskeletal pain in these regions were reported more often by the piece rate wage group than the time rate wage group (At shoulder; OR = 2.94 with 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.39-6.20, at lower back OR = 3.16 with 95% CI: 1.74-5.74, at forearm OR = 2.55 with 95% CI: 1.56-4.17, at hip OR = 2.49 with 95% CI: 1.52-4.07 and at leg OR = 2.97 with 95% CI: 1.72-5.15). It can be concluded that the type of wage system could be one of the contributory factors in a high prevalence of WRMSD and high ergonomic physical work risks among sewing machine operators. It is recommended that sewing machine operators are better off being paid via a time rate wage system compared to a piece rate wage system to reduce work risks and WRMSD among them

Wudu’ workstation design for elderly and disabled people in Malaysia’s mosques

Background: Ablution area is one of the facilities used by most Muslims in all categories. There are numbers of de-sign guidelines for praying facilities but lack on ablution area specification. Therefore, this study was conducted to design an ergonomic ablution area for the Muslim’s disabled and elderly based on their preferences and anthropomet-ric dimension. Methods: Kano questionnaires and user evaluation form, was used to investigate the preferences of elderly and disa-bled in ablution area to 20 respondents at Masjid Bulat, Petaling Jaya and Masjid Kampung Kerinchi,Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur in 2015. Anthropometric dimension of elderly and disabled people was measured. Besides, dimensions of two existing ablution units at selected mosques were evaluated using ‘Ablution Unit Dimension Evaluation’ form. Results: New ablution area design was developed based on elderly and disabled people anthropometric dimension and user preferences as well as user satisfaction survey. This study can be considered as preliminary study for the de-velopment of ergonomic ablution unit design. Conclusion: It is hoped that the findings and recommendations from this research will be referred by the stakehold-ers to determine the best solution to increase the level of comfort and accessibility for elderly and disabled at mosques in Malaysia